The effect of self-management program on the satisfaction of life in patients with spinal cord injury

 Introduction: Spinal cord injuries are one of the most harmful injuries caused by secondary complications resulting from these secondary complications that reduce their satisfaction with their lives. Many of these secondary complications can be reduced or prevented by proper self-management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of self-management program on life satisfaction in patients with spinal cord injury. Method: This research is a randomized clinical trial (RCT) in which 66 patients with spinal cord injury who referred to the Iran Spinal Cord Disability Support Center were included in the study And randomly assigned to two groups of intervention  (33) and control (33). Initially, demographic and life satisfaction questionnaires (SWLS) were completed by all samples. Then, the intervention group, in addition to receiving routine care in the self-management program, included 4 sessions of two hours. After completing the intervention, telephone follow up was conducted for 12 weeks. Then, one month and three months after the end of the intervention, the life satisfaction questionnaire was completed again by the two groups. Data were analyzed by chi-square, Fisher exact and independent t-test using SPSS software version 16. Results: According to the findings, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics and life satisfaction before intervention (p=0.08). However one month after the intervention, there was no significant difference in terms of life satisfaction between the two groups (p=0.146), But three months after the intervention, there was a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: Regarding the findings of this research, self-management program is effective on the life satisfaction of patients with spinal cord injury and improves life satisfaction in patients.