Can targeted job-information for adults with spinal cord dysfunction be effectively delivered online? A pilot study

Objective: To pilot a novel email-based information package (Work and SCI) for job-seekers with an acquired spinal cord injury (SCI) or spinal cord dysfunction (SCI/D). Study design: Prospective, non-randomized, repeated measures trial. Setting: Community dwelling cohort in Australia. Participants: Five people with SCI (mean age 46.4 years, SD = 10.2; 4 female) initially reviewed Work and SCI. Twenty-four with SCI/D subsequently enrolled, of whom 16 (mean age 46.4 years, SD = 11.1; 7 female), completed the intervention. Intervention: Intervention participants accessed Work and SCI over a 4-week period. Outcome measures: Individual changes in pre-post scores for the My Vocational Situation Scale, Job Procurement Self-Efficacy Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Life Orientation Test-Revised were examined. Results: Reliable change in pre-post scores across outcomes were reported by 38% (n = 6) of participants. Favorable comments on the Work and SCI resource were provided in addition to suggestions for improvement. Conclusions: Preliminary data suggest that Work and SCI may help to establish vocational interests among job-seekers with a SCI/D, however further work is needed to enhance participant compliance. This might include moderator support to promote and maintain participation. A controlled design will also help to identify factors that influence engagement with the Work and SCI resource.