Is circuit class physiotherapy possible during inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation? A feasibility trial

Aims: This article describes a feasibility study to determine whether circuit classes could be successfully provided to patients with recently acquired spinal cord injury (SCI) undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Methods: Eleven patients with SCI participated in a physiotherapy circuit class run in addition to regular inpatient rehabilitation, over a two month period. All patients chose to attend the circuit classes for the duration of their availability. On completion of the trial, a purpose-designed questionnaire was administered to investigate patient satisfaction. Feedback was also collected from staff regarding their experience of the circuit class. Findings: No adverse events occurred during any circuit classes. Patients reported high levels of satisfaction with the class, reporting that classes were challenging, motivating, confidence building and a source of peer-support. Staff reported that circuit classes helped build clinical skills and confidence, and allowed the provision of effective therapy to SCI patients. All patients and staff recommended that circuit classes continue. Conclusions: This small feasibility study demonstrated that it is both possible and desirable to implement circuit class physiotherapy to a cohort of people with recently acquired SCI undergoing inpatient rehabilitation.