Implications of a Holistic Rehabilitation Approach following Spinal Cord Injury: a Case Study from India

Pallerla Srikanth (1), Sivaleela Agadi (2), Remy Lobo (3), BP Nirmala (4), Shanivaram Reddy K (5), Anupam Gupta (6)
(1) National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS, India,
(2) National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS, India,
(3) National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS, India,
(4) National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS, India,
(5) National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS, India,
(6) National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS, India

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Issue
Vol. 33 No. 4 (2022): Winter
Submitted
March 17, 2022
Published
March 4, 2023
Keywords:
    Spinal cord injury, psycho-social, rehabilitation
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Abstract

Purpose: Spinal cord injury causes temporary or permanent changes in spinal cord function. This case report highlights the significance of multidisciplinary rehabilitation team interventions after surgery for spinal cord injury.

Method: The paper examines the case of a 16-year-old girl, diagnosed with spinal cord injury after a traumatic incident four months earlier. The adolescent (client), a 9th grade student from a lower socioeconomic background, presented with weakness in the lower limbs, pressure ulcer, and neuropathic pain. Along with dependency for lower limb activities of daily living, there was severe biopsychosocial impairment. The client’s mother had no respite during the entire process of caregiving. On the basis of psychosocial findings, specific customised interventions were administered to the client and her mother, on a daily basis, for one and a half months.

Results: Different scales were used to assess the quality of life (BREF-QoL), illness perception (Brief IPQ) and depression and anxiety (HADS) of the client, both pre and post interventions. A comprehensive tailor made psycho-social interventions were provided during and after the rehabilitation and significant improvement was found. Scales to assess the social and occupational functioning (SOFAS) of the family and perceived family burden also noted positive changes.

Conclusion: Psychiatric social work interventions play a vital role in rehabilitating persons with neurological conditions. Adopting holistic rehabilitation approaches enhances the well-being and quality of life of persons with spinal cord injury and their families.

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Authors

Pallerla Srikanth
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7513-8264
sripharma55@gmail.com (Primary Contact)
Sivaleela Agadi
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS
Remy Lobo
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS
BP Nirmala
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS
Shanivaram Reddy K
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4023-6969
Anupam Gupta
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5347-6545
Author Biographies

Pallerla Srikanth, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS

Pallerla Srikanth is a Ph.D. Scholar, from the Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences. He has published articles in many national and international journals. His areas of interests are - disability managament and social work interventions. He has presented his research at various platforms.

Sivaleela Agadi, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS

Sivaleela has completed her M.Phil. in Psychiatric Social Work, from the Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru. She is currently working as a Psychiatric Social Worker, from the department of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS.

Remy Lobo, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS

Remy has a M.Phil. in Psychiatric Social Worker from Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru. Currently he is working as a Psychiatric Social Worker at the Department of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS

BP Nirmala, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS

Dr. Nirmala is a Professor at the Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru. She has more than 35 years of experince in the field of mental health. She is a consultant at the Department of Neurological Rehabilitatition at NIMHANS, where she guides research scholars. She has published many research articles on disability management and psycho-social issues of persons with disabilities. 

Shanivaram Reddy K, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS

Dr. Shanivaram Reddy K. is an Associate Professor at the Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru. He has ten years of experience in rehabilitation of persons with mental illness and also guides research scholars at NIMHANS. He has published research articles on psychiatric rehabilitation, disability rights and vocational guidance.

Anupam Gupta, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences - NIMHANS

Dr. Anupam Gupta is a Professor at the Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru. He has 30 years of experince as a rehabilitation professional in the field of management of neurological conditions. He has published research articles in this field and has guided many research scholars.
1.
Srikanth P, Agadi S, Lobo R, Nirmala B, K SR, Gupta A. Implications of a Holistic Rehabilitation Approach following Spinal Cord Injury: a Case Study from India. DCIDJ [Internet]. 2023 Mar. 4 [cited 2025 Feb. 23];33(4):89-98. Available from: https://dcidj.uog.edu.et/index.php/up-j-dcbrid/article/view/592
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