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Factors affecting return to work after spinal cord injury in Japan: a cross-sectional study

Spinal Cord volume 63, pages 279–284 (2025)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Study design

Survey.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the rate of return to work among individuals with spinal cord injuries in Japan and identify factors associated with their return.

Setting

Returning to work is difficult for people with spinal cord injuries, although it contributes to their personal quality of life and society. Previous studies have examined various factors inhibiting return to work, but none have examined social participation.

Methods

Questionnaires were sent to individuals of working age with spinal cord injuries. Their employment status, marital status, neurological status, activities of daily living, enjoyment of sports and/or hobbies post-injury, and whether they lived with family were examined using the visual analog scale for pain.

Results

Among the 134 respondents, 61 (46%) were employed at the time of the survey. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that mild paralysis and enjoyment of sports and/or hobbies were significant factors associated with return to work. Among those employed, 27% secured jobs through private job introductions, highlighting the role of social connections in facilitating employment.

Conclusions

Besides mild paralysis, social participation in sports and/or hobbies was significantly associated with a return to work. As social connections can provide opportunities to obtain jobs, providing spaces for interaction through sports and hobbies, can create a conducive environment for returning to work.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3: Benefits and challenges for return to work.

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Data availability

The datasets generated and/or analyzed in this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We express our deep appreciation to Mr. Hiroaki Takegawa, Mr. Takuma Kawano, and Mr. Kazuhisa Oku, who helped send the questionnaires to the individuals in this study. We also thank Editage (www.editage.com) for their English language editing.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Japan Organization of Occupational Health and Safety, Spinal Injuries Center, Iizuka, Fukuoka prefecture, Japan

    Tetsuo Hayashi, Mayumi Takegawa, Ryota Takanami & Kensuke Kubota

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan

    Tetsuo Hayashi & Mari Sato

  3. Department of Assistive Technology and Design, Japan Organization of Occupational Health and Safety, Spinal Injuries Center, Iizuka, Fukuoka prefecture, Japan

    Tetsuo Hayashi & Hiromitsu Kobayashi

  4. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Japan Organization of Occupational Health and Safety, Spinal Injuries Center, Iizuka, Fukuoka prefecture, Japan

    Momo Irie, Hiroaki Sakai, Muneaki Masuda, Kensuke Kubota, Osamu Kawano & Takeshi Maeda

Authors
  1. Tetsuo Hayashi
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  2. Hiromitsu Kobayashi
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  3. Momo Irie
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  4. Hiroaki Sakai
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  5. Mayumi Takegawa
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  6. Ryota Takanami
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  7. Muneaki Masuda
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  8. Kensuke Kubota
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  9. Mari Sato
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  10. Osamu Kawano
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  11. Takeshi Maeda
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Contributions

TH, this study’s lead author, analyzed the data, interpreted its results, created the figures, and wrote the manuscript. HK, MT, and RT collected the data. MI, HS, MM, KK, MS, OK, and TM interpreted the data. All the authors have reviewed and approved the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tetsuo Hayashi.

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Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Hayashi, T., Kobayashi, H., Irie, M. et al. Factors affecting return to work after spinal cord injury in Japan: a cross-sectional study. Spinal Cord 63, 279–284 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-025-01083-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-025-01083-z

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