Work after Spinal Cord Injury - Outpatient Data from a Rehabilitation Clinic for Paraplegiology

Aim This study investigated factors which influence work after a spinal cord lesion using routinely collected outpatient data including an ICF-based questionnaire. Methods The retrospective analysis was based on a sample of 290 outpatients with chronic spinal cord lesions of whom 43% reported to work. 15 factors possibly affecting occupational activity were evaluated by bivariate analyses and multivariable regression modelling. Results Negative associations were identified between working activities and the factors "age at time of spinal cord injury" (OR: 0.96, 95%-KI: 0.93-0.99, p<0.002) and "problems with covering distances" (OR: 0.44, 95%-KI: 0.25-0.79, p<0.006). A similar tendency was observed for "problems with shopping". Conclusions These findings indicate that age and aspects of mobility are important influencing factors for resumption of work after a spinal cord lesion. Therefore, mobility should be considered as an important target for interventions in long-term rehabilitation.