Article

OBJECTIVE: To develop a scale (Neuromuscular Recovery Scale [NRS]) for
classification of functional motor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) based
on preinjury movement patterns that would reduce variability of the populations'
level of function within each class, because assessment of functional improvement
after SCI is problematic as a result of high variability of the populations'
level of function and the insensitivity to change within the available outcome
measures. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort with longitudinal follow-up.
SETTING: Seven outpatient rehabilitation centers from the Christopher and Dana
Reeve Foundation NeuroRecovery Network (NRN). PARTICIPANTS: Individuals (N=95)
with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade C or AIS
grade D having received at least 20 locomotor training treatment sessions in the
NRN. INTERVENTIONS: Intensive locomotor training including stepping on a
treadmill with partial body weight support and manual facilitation and
translation of skills into home and community activities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Berg Balance Scale, six-minute walk test, and ten-meter walk test. RESULTS:
Individuals classified within each of the 4 phases of the NRS were functionally
discrete, as shown by significant differences in the mean values of balance, gait
speed, and walking endurance, and the variability of these measurements was
significantly reduced by NRS classification. The magnitude of improvements in
these outcomes was also significantly different among phase groups. CONCLUSIONS:
Assessment with the NRS provides a classification for functional motor recovery
without compensation, which reduces variability in performance and improvements
for individuals with injuries classified as AIS grades C and D.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS