Abstract: Objective To study the effect of different psychological rehabilitation time on patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods 80 patients with SCI caused by spinal fracture were divided into early psychological rehabilitation group (n=40) and late psychological rehabilitation group (n=40). The routine treatment was administered to both groups, and psychological rehabilitative therapy was also administered immediately and 3 weeks after admission respectively. Their function, psychological state and quality of life were evaluated. Results The scores of modified Barthel index (MBI), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and psychology, independence, social relations and the total score in World Health Organizations Quality of Life (WHOQOL-100) were higher, and the scores of Hamilton Self-rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) and Hamilton Self-rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA) were lower in the early psychological rehabilitation group than in the late psychological rehabilitation group (P<0.05). Conclusion Early psychological rehabilitation is beneficial for functional and psychological state recovery in patients with SCI.

Key words: vertebral fracture, paraplegia, psychological rehabilitation