Introduction:
Adults with Spinal Cord Injury and Disorder (SCI/D) report a range of negative occupational performance impacts, which individual coaching has been shown to influence positively. Group coaching has positively affected perceived self-efficacy (PSE) in varying populations. Group coaching to improve occupational performance or with people with SCI/D has not yet been studied.
Objectives:
To assess the efficacy of virtual group coaching on self-efficacy and occupational performance in adults with SCI/D.
Methods:
This pilot quasi-experimental study provided ten virtual group coaching sessions to adults with SCI/D (n=9) whose occupational performance and self-efficacy were assessed pre-post using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). The group coaching sessions were led by an occupational therapist trained in coaching who employed the group adaptation of the Coaching-in-Context Model.
Results:
Preliminary analysis of the 9 participants suggests improvement in occupational performance and PSE after group coaching [COPM Performance mean difference(MD)=2.11 SD=1.03; COPM Satisfaction MD=2.12 SD=1.78; GSES MD=2, SD=3.04]. COPM scores show clinically meaningful change (³2).
Conclusion and Significance:
Group coaching is an emerging intervention within OT showing promise in fostering improvement in occupational performance and PSE. This study suggests positive impacts on both within the SCI/D population due to group coaching. This study is the first investigation into OT-led group coaching specifically for the SCI/D population.