Sukhvinder Kalsi-Ryan1, Jefferson Wilson2, Jinghao Mary Yang3, Michael G Fehlings4. 1. University Health Network, Krembil Neuroscience Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 2. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Spinal Program, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 3. Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 4. University Health Network, Krembil Neuroscience Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: Michael.Fehlings@uhn.on.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Quantifying the clinical neurological impairment of individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is of great importance in managing the population. The current gold standard is the International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI (ISNCSCI). Administered in isolation, this measure is not sensitive or specific enough to quantify impairment for the whole SCI population with the detail required for clinical trials and interventional studies. METHODS: This review outlines a broader range of outcome measures that have the potential to assess neurological impairment and function in the traumatic SCI population. We describe recent developments in new and more sensitive outcomes, some of which have traditionally been used only in the laboratory. Also described are efforts being made to validate and enhance clinical use of new outcomes. CONCLUSION: The use of impairment measures alone will not provide clinicians with enough information regarding ability. Thus, the use of functional outcomes, such as the Spinal Cord Independence Measure, Functional Independence Measure, and other functional tests in addition to the neurological impairment measures, such as the ISNCSCI and the electrophysiologic measures, are required for adequate characterization of the deficits and abilities in the traumatic SCI population.
BACKGROUND: Quantifying the clinical neurological impairment of individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is of great importance in managing the population. The current gold standard is the International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI (ISNCSCI). Administered in isolation, this measure is not sensitive or specific enough to quantify impairment for the whole SCI population with the detail required for clinical trials and interventional studies. METHODS: This review outlines a broader range of outcome measures that have the potential to assess neurological impairment and function in the traumatic SCI population. We describe recent developments in new and more sensitive outcomes, some of which have traditionally been used only in the laboratory. Also described are efforts being made to validate and enhance clinical use of new outcomes. CONCLUSION: The use of impairment measures alone will not provide clinicians with enough information regarding ability. Thus, the use of functional outcomes, such as the Spinal Cord Independence Measure, Functional Independence Measure, and other functional tests in addition to the neurological impairment measures, such as the ISNCSCI and the electrophysiologic measures, are required for adequate characterization of the deficits and abilities in the traumatic SCI population.
Authors: Ammar H Hawasli; Jerrel Rutlin; Jarod L Roland; Rory K J Murphy; Sheng-Kwei Song; Eric C Leuthardt; Joshua S Shimony; Wilson Z Ray Journal: J Neurotrauma Date: 2018-01-11 Impact factor: 5.269
Authors: P V Ter Wengel; R E Feller; A Stadhouder; D Verbaan; F C Oner; J C Goslings; W P Vandertop Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2018-03-23 Impact factor: 3.134
Authors: Yang Yang; Mao Pang; Yu-Yong Chen; Liang-Ming Zhang; Hao Liu; Jun Tan; Bin Liu; Li-Min Rong Journal: Neural Regen Res Date: 2020-08 Impact factor: 5.135