Research Projects

Developing a Measure of Quality of Life in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury

Study Goals

This study is about the quality of life (QOL) of people with spinal cord injury. UWCORR is recruiting people with SCI to help determine which questions are most important or relevant to ask persons with SCI. The primary goal for this study is to develop a questionnaire that can be used to gather information about the quality of life of individuals with SCI. Although several measures of quality of life exist, several of them contain items or questions that are not relevant to persons with SCI. This new questionnaire will help provide a better understanding of quality of life of persons with SCI and how QOL changes over time and in response to different treatment approaches. The hope is that this QOL questionnaire can be used by professionals, clinicians, researchers, and most importantly, help consumers and their caregivers, family, and friends develop treatments and programs that maximize the quality of life of all persons with spinal cord injury.

Study Participation

This study will shortly start recruitment for 80 participants with SCI that are over 18, can read and understand English and have been diagnosed within the last three years. Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire and/or interview either in person or over the phone to gather feedback about the questions healthcare providers should be asking patients about how their health condition has affected their quality of life. The information shared will help healthcare researchers to better measure and understand the experience and impact of SCI on physical/medical, social and emotional functioning. To date, we have completed 4 physical/medical interviews.