Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week 2026: Hopkins Research Turning Evidence into Action

Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week (SCIAW) provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the experiences of people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) and highlight the research, innovation and partnerships working to improve lives after injury. At The Hopkins Centre, researchers are tackling a diverse range of challenges across rehabilitation, health, participation and quality of life, with a strong focus on translating research into practical outcomes and resources.

Supporting participation, employment and connection

For many people living with SCI, returning to work and maintaining meaningful social connections can be important parts of life after injury. The Hopkins Centre’s Sustained Employment following acquired brain or spinal cord injury Seed Grant project, led by Dr Jessie Mitchell, explored the experiences of people who have successfully remained in employment following injury, as well as the perspectives of employers and rehabilitation professionals. The project has resulted in two practical guides – an Inclusive Workplaces Guide for Employers & Co-workers and a Sustainable Employment Guide for People with Disability – alongside personal employment stories and journey maps that highlight pathways to successful, sustained employment.

Building on the importance of participation beyond work, the Supporting Friendships and Social Connections project explored the challenges and opportunities associated with maintaining relationships following SCI and acquired brain injury. Through co-design with people with lived experience, families, friends and rehabilitation professionals, the project developed the Staying Connected framework and a suite of practical resources, including SCI presentations, posters and postcards. These resources provide strategies to help people maintain friendships, build new connections and participate in meaningful social activities.

 

Improving health and rehabilitation outcomes

Sleep disturbances are common following SCI and can have a significant impact on wellbeing, energy, participation and quality of life. The Hopkins Centre’s Sleep Disturbances Following Spinal Cord Injury project explored people’s experiences of sleep difficulties and help-seeking, working with people with SCI, clinicians and community organisations to co-design practical resources. Outcomes include a Sleeping Better after SCI Information Sheet, Infographic, FAQs, Worksheet and two versions of a Sleep Diary, providing accessible information and practical tools to support better sleep management.

The Complications of Post-Flap Surgery in People with SCI project is also helping improve care for people undergoing surgery to treat pressure injuries. Research examining surgical and rehabilitation outcomes, alongside lived experience and clinical perspectives, has contributed to a new Flap Surgery Clinical Pathway: Management of Pressure Injuries with Surgical Reconstruction, now being used within the Queensland Spinal Cord Injuries Service. A 2026 publication from the project found that post-flap complications remain common and can affect rehabilitation progress and length of hospital stay, providing important evidence to inform future care.

 

While the ENGAGE project focuses on persistent pain rather than SCI specifically, its findings demonstrate how research can directly influence the delivery of rehabilitation and support more person-centred care. The Making interdisciplinary pain management programs more patient-centred: a qualitative study of patients’ perceptions of the ENGAGE pain group, led by Kelly Walsh and Dr Nicholas Aitcheson, explored what participants learn through an interdisciplinary pain management program, their experiences of the program and changes in behaviour. The research has already contributed to practical changes at the Metro South Pain Rehabilitation Centre, including a new CONNECT group to help participants feel supported and connected before commencing allied health services, improved preparation before ENGAGE, and a post-program “coffee and chat” session to provide ongoing peer support.

The project has also informed a redesign of ENGAGE content to prioritise the elements participants found most beneficial, alongside a more trauma-aware approach to delivery. Hybrid options have been introduced for selected groups, while new post-ENGAGE groups – including tai chi, yoga, a flare-up workshop, sleep group and psychological skills short course – provide opportunities for continued support. A community immersion activity has also been introduced to help participants overcome barriers to reconnecting with their communities. Importantly, the research has influenced clinician practice, with staff reporting a greater understanding of participants’ needs and preferences and more proactive provision of post-program support.

 

Putting people with lived experience at the centre

The Co-producing Resources for Clinicians and People with Spinal Cord Injuries in Queensland project, led by Dr Kelsey Chapman, has focused on improving access to information and supporting people with SCI to participate more confidently in their rehabilitation. Through interviews and co-design workshops with patients, families and clinicians, the project identified more than 90 common rehabilitation questions and developed three practical communication resources, alongside a digital Question Builder prototype to help patients prepare for conversations with healthcare professionals.

The project will also feature in the upcoming Hopkins Hour: Worth Asking – Accessible communication in healthcare and research on 16 September 2026, providing an opportunity to explore how accessible communication and asking questions can support more inclusive, person-centred healthcare and research.

 

Understanding the rehabilitation journey

The Hopkins Centre’s Trajectories of Rehabilitation Across Complex Environments (TRaCE) 3.0 research is also examining what happens beyond the rehabilitation ward. The longitudinal study follows people after brain or spinal cord injury to better understand life stressors, secondary complications, service access, independence, vocational outcomes and psychological wellbeing over time. Findings and clinical implications were recently explored through a Hopkins Hour featuring members of the TRaCE research team.

 

Together, these projects demonstrate The Hopkins Centre’s commitment to research that starts with the priorities and experiences of people living with SCI and translates evidence into meaningful change. From employment and friendships to sleep, surgical recovery, communication and longer-term rehabilitation pathways, Hopkins researchers are working alongside people with lived experience, clinicians and community partners to develop practical solutions that support greater participation, wellbeing and quality of life after spinal cord injury.