[Occupational therapy and return to work of the people with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI)]. / Terapia Occupazionale e reinserimento lavorativo delle persone con esiti di mielolesione (TSCI).

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the employment condition of persons with TSCI 4 years after discharge from rehabilitation facilities, as well as the factors related to better outcome. In the follow-up we interviewed 403 persons. We recorded the following variables current employment status, causes of unemployment and their correlation with demographic status, clinical status and other information. In our results 51.4% of the interviewed persons were unemployed, 34.7% had a job and 7.2% were students. Among the unemployed persons 34% had suffered an accident at work, 31% had been unable to find suitable work and 31% were retired. Employment significantly correlated with younger age, single status, being paraplegic, being autonomous in bladder/bowel management, driving a car and a better quality of life. In the multivariate analysis the factors predicting better outcome were younger age, ability to drive and a better quality of life.