Article

The Neuromuscular Recovery Scale (NRS) was developed by researchers
and clinicians to functionally classify people with spinal cord injury (SCI) by
measuring functionally relevant motor tasks without compensation. Previous
studies established strong interrater and test-retest reliability and validity of
the scale. OBJECTIVE: To determine responsiveness of the NRS, a version including
newly added upper-extremity items, in an outpatient rehabilitation setting.
METHODS: Assessments using the NRS and 6 other instruments were conducted at
enrollment and discharge from a locomotor training program for 72 outpatients
with SCI classified as American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grades
A to D (International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord
Injury). Mixed-model t statistics for instruments were calculated and adjusted
for confounding factors
(eg, sample size, demographic variables) for all patients
and subgroups stratified by injury level and/or severity.
The resulting adjusted
response means (ARMs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to determine
responsiveness, and significant differences between instruments were identified
with pairwise comparisons. RESULTS: The NRS was significantly responsive for SCI
outpatients (ARM = 1.05; CI = 0.75-1.35). Changes in motor function were detected
across heterogeneous groups. Regardless of injury level or severity, the
responsiveness of the NRS was equal to, and often significantly exceeded, the
responsiveness of other instruments. CONCLUSIONS:
The NRS is a responsive measure
that detects change in motor function during outpatient neurorehabilitation for
SCI. There is potential utility for its application in randomized controlled
trials and as a measure of clinical recovery across diverse SCI populations.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS