Enhancing Rehabilitation Participation in Patients With SCI/D Using Motivational Interviewing

Rehabilitation
General health
Online since 26 April 2026, updated today

About this trial

This trial is enrolling 180 participants with spinal cord injury to test the effect of a goal-oriented counseling style called motivational interviewing (MI) during rehabilitation. The investigators want to see if patients who receive MI coaching demonstrate greater therapy participation. If included, participants will be randomly assigned to receive routine inpatient rehabilitation from therapists who are either trained in motivational interviewing or provide standard care. Final evaluation of therapy participation will be performed after 1 year.

Included participants

Gender
All
Age
≥ 18 years
Injury level
C1 - S5
  • Severity (AIS)?
  • Time since injury
    All
  • Injury type
  • Traumatic

    Non-traumatic

    Healthy volunteers
    No
    C1-S5
    Additionally, participants must
    be receiving inpatient rehabilitation at one of the three study sites

    What’s involved

    Type

    Rehabilitation

    Details

    - Participants will be randomly assigned to receive routine inpatient rehabilitation from therapists who are either trained in motivational interviewing or provide standard care. - Final evaluation of therapy participation will be performed after 1 year.

    Potential benefits

    Main benefits

    General health

    Additional benefits

    Arm/hand function

    Mental health and psychosocial factors

    Good to know: Potential benefits are defined as outcomes that are being measured during and/or after the trial.

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more


    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting
    • Trial start date
    • 1 Nov 2025
    • Organisation
    • Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting
    • Trial start date
    • 1 Nov 2025
    • Organisation
    • Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more