Stress, internal resources and functioning in a person with spinal cord disease

Abstract

Spinal cord lesion due to injury or disease (SCD) has a severe impact on the level of functioning, results in body function impairments, causes restrictions in everyday life, and stress. This stress experience can have an additional negative impact on well-being and health of persons with SCD. Stress reduction is therefore an important aim in order to achieve and maintain health in SCD. Strengthening internal resources of a person can support this endeavor. To describe the role of internal resources for stress reduction as rehabilitation target in the context of interdisciplinary clinical rehabilitation of SCD using ICF-based rehabilitation management tools. Single Case Study. Strengthening internal resources contributed to stress reduction in the rehabilitation of a person with SCD. Active involvement in decision taking increased the patient's perceived self-determination and reduced stress. Impairments in urination function remained a major stressor and negatively affected the patient's self-esteem. ICF-based documentation tools highlighted the role of internal resources, stress and functioning in rehabilitation management. Internal resources should be strengthened when aiming at stress reduction in a patient with SCD. ICF-based documentation tools support this undertaking.