Functional Independence and Quality of Life Among Patients with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) leads to profound motor, sensory, and autonomic impairments that substantially reduce functional independence and negatively impact multiple dimensions of quality of life (QoL). Understanding how functional capability relates to QoL is essential for guiding rehabilitation priorities and optimizing long-term outcomes. Objective: To examine the association between functional independence and quality of life among adults with traumatic spinal cord injury. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 56 adults with clinically confirmed TSCI attending rehabilitation services. Functional independence was assessed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), while QoL was evaluated using the WHOQOL-BREF. Demographic and clinical data were collected through structured interviews and medical records. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, independent group comparisons, and correlation analyses, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Participants showed moderate functional impairment (mean FIM 73.6 ± 18.2) and reduced QoL, particularly in the physical domain (48.9 ± 12.7). Paraplegia was associated with significantly higher FIM and QoL scores compared with tetraplegia (p < 0.001). Functional independence demonstrated a strong positive correlation with overall QoL (r = 0.64, p < 0.001), with the strongest association observed for the physical domain (r = 0.71). Conclusion: Higher functional independence is strongly associated with better multidimensional QoL among individuals with TSCI, underscoring the need to prioritize independence-focused rehabilitation strategies.