ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of continuous occupational therapy (OT) on the life satisfaction of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). MethodsFifty-two SCI patients treated in Department of Rehabilitation at People’s Hospital of Mianzhu City between 2008 and 2010 were randomly assigned into two groups with 26 patients in each. Patients in the trial group received OT and rehabilitation nursing both in hospital and after being discharged from hospital, whereas patients in the control group only received treatment in hospital. Life satisfaction was assessed when patients were discharged from hospital and 21 months later. ResultsThe patients were treated for an average of 12 weeks in hospital before being discharged. Twenty-six questionnaires were given out to the patients when they were discharged from hospital, and another 26 were given 21 months later. All the questionnaires were retrieved, with a retrieval rate of 100%. The life satisfaction scores between the trial and control groups were not different from each other when the patients were discharged from hospital (P>0.05). The trial group was more satisfied with their life 21 months after being discharged from hospital (P<0.05). The life satisfaction scores of the control group were not changed (P>0.05). The trial group had higher life satisfaction than the control group 21 months after being discharged (P<0.05). ConclusionContinuous OT instruction on patients can increase their life satisfaction, and the rehabilitation effect of patients is better than rehabilitation intervention at a certain stage.