Goal driven
Task-specific training must be meaningful to the person. That is, it must be based on his or her own goals [Task-specific training as part of the SCI-MT Trial will be based on goals set by participants in collaboration with the therapists. The participants may find it difficult to set realisitic goals at these early stages of their SCI (within 10 weeks after injury), and for this reason guidance and collaboration from the therapists will be particularly important. Two ten-week and two six-month goals will be set during the baseline assessments that form part of the formal assessment schedule of the trial. These will be set using the SMART principles of goal setting. The goals will be related to participants’ activity limitations and participation restrictions and be amenable to SCI-MT intervention. Then, each week during the SCI-MT training, the therapist and participant will together identify up to four smaller goals just for the week. These weekly goals will be reviewed and progressed and will underpin the choice of task-specific exercises included in the Motor Training program.