Mental Health and Spinal Cord Injury

The development and pilot of e-PACT:
a psychological treatment of depression in people with spinal cord injury

Investigators

Dr. Christine Migliorini, Monash University (CI)
Prof Bruce Tonge, Monash University
Dr. Andrew Sinclair, ParaQuad Victoria
Mr. Alan Leaf, ParaQuad Victoria

Funding: beyondblue: the national depression initiative 2008 grant

What is the current project about?

This project aims to develop a flexible psychological treatment and problem-based coping manual, and associated framework for a parallel online version of the treatment, for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who suffer the extra burden of depression only or depression and anxiety.  The multifaceted intervention will comprise an initial cognitive-behavioural training package.  This will be followed by a mindfulness programme to further build resiliency, where time allows.  A multiple case study approach, relying on exemplars providing rich data and triangulation, will provide evidence of the efficacy and acceptability of e-PACT. 

Why this project?

A recently completed PhD study (Migliorini) of the mental health and quality of life of a large representative sample of adults (n=443) adults with spinal cord injuries living within the Victorian community.  That study found that, although many individuals with SCI are resilient, are substantial proportion suffered the extra burden of mental illness.  The majority of those showing signs of psychological distress were not receiving any specific treatment or psychological help.  This is partly due to difficulty accessing services and for some, a reluctance to seek help as this might be seen as a sign of weakness or work against their understandable desire to be independent.  This large scale Victorian study has confirmed a significant unmet need for the provision of psychological help which, if effective, would results in an improved quality of life for at least a third of people with SCI in Victoria. 

For more information, please contact Dr Christine Migliorini
Email: christine.migliorini@med.monash.edu.au
Phone: + 61 3 9594 7746

Useful links

• ParaQuad Victoria
  
  
• BeyondBlue

Previous Publications

Migliorini, C. 2007. Mapping wellbeing after spinal cord injury, unpublished PhD thesis, School of Psychology, Psychiatry & Psychological Medicine, Monash University.

Migliorini, C., Tonge, B. & Taleporos, G. 2008 Spinal Cord Injury and mental health. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 42 (4):309-14.

Migliorini, C., Elfström, M. & Tonge, B. 2008. Translation and Australian validation of the spinal cord lesion-related coping strategies and emotional wellbeing questionnaires. Spinal Cord, 46 (10): 690-695.

Migliorini, C., New, P. & Tonge, B. Comparison of depression, anxiety and stress in persons with traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord, accepted 12/09/08.

Migliorini, C., & Tonge, B. Subjective well-being and spinal cord injury: what is important to know. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, submitted August 2008.

Previous Conference Presentations