Assessment of psychoemotional conditions in patients with consequences of spinal cord injury

Abstract

Introduction Assessment of patients' psychoemotional condition (PEC) is a standard aspect of clinical care within traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. Materials and methods The evaluation was performed for 40 patients with SCI aged more than one year and ASIA grades B, C, D. HAM (Health, Activity, Mood) tests, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Spielberger-Khanin Anxiety Scale were used to assess psychoemotional conditions in the patients. Results Patients with traumatic SCI did not reveal high level of state anxiety and depression at a long-term follow-up with evidently limited motor function (ASIA grades B, C). Even the presence of baseline trait anxiety did not result in severe psychoemotional disorders like depression. This can be described as a regulating effect of the autonomic nervous system through both recovery and compensation of autonomic dysfunctions employing reparative and adjustment mechanisms including coping efforts. Conclusions The majority of the patients could successfully cope with consequences of SCI at mid- and long-term follow-up. Most of them were able to adapt to the circumstances, learn to live with a new status, and successfully overcome SCI related physical, psychological and social difficulties.