HUGHES: Texas Model Spinal Cord Injury Systems
Project Description:
The purpose of this spinal cord model systems project is to address and work toward improving the health and well-being of people with spinal cord injury (SCI). The University of Montana, under the supervision of Dr. Rosemary Hughes, contracts with the Texas Model Spinal Cord Injury System (TMSCIS) project at TIRR-Memorial Hermann (TIRR) to support its high level of contributions to the National SCI Database and Registry and assist with the dissemination of information based on the analyses of those data. Additionally, we will partner closely to conduct a clinical trial of a psychological health promotion intervention for women with SCI delivered in the online virtual world of Second Life and co-facilitated by subcontract PI Hughes. Our innovative online approach will reduce environmental and other barriers to participation, representing the first group intervention designed to respond to the unique psychological needs of women with SCI. The intervention will be tested with a national sample of 192 community-living women with SCI who will be randomly assigned to either a group that will participate in the 10-session intervention, or to a control group that will receive intervention materials at the end of the intervention trial. Using a within- and between-groups pre/post-test design with three- and six-month follow-up assessments at three time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up), the team will have the capacity to examine the immediate and longer-term efficacy of the intervention and the mechanisms through which the intervention influences psychological health outcomes. The TMSCIS will also collaborate with four other Model Systems program on collaborative module projects.
Keyword(s):
spinal cord injury, health
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Health-Related Activities
Target Audience:
Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Regional
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
