Patterns and predictors of functional recovery from the subacute to the chronic phase following a traumatic spinal cord injury: a prospective study

Predicting Complete versus Incomplete Long-Term Functional Independence after Acute AIS Grade D Spinal Cord Injury: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background

The proportion of patients with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade D traumatic spinal cord injuries (tSCI) is increasing. Although initial motor deficits can be relatively mild, some individuals fail to recover functional independence.

Objectives

This study aims to identify factors associated with failure to reach complete functional independence after AIS grade D tSCI.

Methods

An observational prospective cohort study was conducted at a level 1 trauma center specialized in SCI care. A prospective cohort of 121 individuals with an AIS-D tSCI was considered. The baseline characteristics, length of acute stay, need for inpatient rehabilitation, and 12-month functional status were assessed. Univariate and classification and regression tree (CART) analyses were performed to identify factors associated with reaching complete versus incomplete functional independence (defined as perfect total SCIM III score at 12-month follow-up).

Results

There were 69.3%, 83.3%, and 61.4% individuals reaching complete independence in self-care, respiration/sphincter management, and mobility, respectively. A total of 64 individuals (52%) reached complete functional independence in all three domains. In the CART analysis, we found that patients are more likely to achieve complete functional independence when they have a baseline motor score ≥83 (65% individuals) and if they present fewer medical comorbidities (70% individuals if Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI] ≤4).

Conclusion

About half of individuals with AIS grade D tSCI can expect complete long-term functional independence. It is important to recognize early during acute care individuals with baseline motor score <83 or a high burden of comorbidities (CCI ≥5) to optimize their rehabilitation plan.

Classifying clinical phenotypes of functional recovery for acute traumatic spinal cord injury. An observational cohort study

PURPOSE

Identify patient subgroups with different functional outcomes after SCI and study the association between functional status and initial ISNCSCI components.

METHODS

Using CART, we performed an observational cohort study on data from 675 patients enrolled in the Rick-Hansen Registry(RHSCIR) between 2014 and 2019. The outcome was the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) and predictors included AIS, NLI, UEMS, LEMS, pinprick(PPSS), and light touch(LTSS) scores. A temporal validation was performed on data from 62 patients treated between 2020 and 2021 in one of the RHSCIR participating centers.

RESULTS

The final CART resulted in four subgroups with increasing totSCIM according to PPSS, LEMS, and UEMS: 1)PPSS < 27(totSCIM = 28.4 ± 16.3); 2)PPSS ≥ 27, LEMS < 1.5, UEMS < 45(totSCIM = 39.5 ± 19.0); 3)PPSS ≥ 27, LEMS < 1.5, UEMS ≥ 45(totSCIM = 57.4 ± 13.8); 4)PPSS ≥ 27, LEMS ≥ 1.5(totSCIM = 66.3 ± 21.7). The validation model performed similarly to the original model. The adjusted R-squared and F-test were respectively 0.556 and 62.2(P-value <0.001) in the development cohort and, 0.520 and 31.9(P-value <0.001) in the validation cohort.

CONCLUSION

Acknowledging the presence of four characteristic subgroups of patients with distinct phenotypes of functional recovery based on PPSS, LEMS, and UEMS could be used by clinicians early after tSCI to plan rehabilitation and establish realistic goals. An improved sensory function could be key for potentiating motor gains, as a PPSS ≥ 27 was a predictor of a good function.

Can the Initial Parameters of Functional Scales Predict Recovery in Patients with Complete Spinal Cord Injury? A Retrospective Cohort Study

Regaining greater independence in performing daily activities constitutes a priority for people with tetraplegia following spinal cord injury (SCI). The highest expectations are connected with the improvement of hand function. Therefore, it is so important for the clinician to identify reliable and commonly applicable prognostic factors for functional improvement. The aim of this study was to conduct an analysis to assess the impact of initial functional factors on the clinical improvement in patients during early neurological rehabilitation (ENR). This study assessed 38 patients with complete SCI aged 17-78 who underwent ENR in 2012-2022. The analysis included the motor score from the AIS (MS), the Barthel Index (BI) and the SCIM scale values at the beginning of the ENR program and after its completion. During ENR, patients achieved a statistically significant improvement in MS, BI and SCIM. The initial MS and the level of neurological injury constituted the predictors of functional improvement during ENR. Significant statistical relationships were observed primarily in the correlations between the initial MS and BI, and the increase in the analyzed functional scales of SCI patients. Higher initial MS may increase the chances of a greater and faster functional improvement during ENR.

Assessing functional recovery for individuals with spinal cord injury post-discharge from inpatient rehabilitation

OBJECTIVE

To determine the associations between trauma variables, acute phase-related variables, and patient-level characteristics with functional recovery during the first-year post-discharge from inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF) for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort analysis.

SETTING

Two SCI Model Centers in Pennsylvania, United States.

METHODS

We were able to link 378 individuals with traumatic SCI between the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Outcomes Study and the National SCI Model Systems databases. Nineteen individuals with SCI were excluded due to missing data. We estimated functional recovery based on changes in functional independence measure (FIM) total motor score during the first-year post-discharge from IRF in 359 individuals with SCI, who did not have any missing data, using ordinary least squares regression (OLS).

RESULTS

After discharge from IRF the majority of individuals with SCI improved over the first-year post-injury. Individuals with cervical A-C (injury severity group) who were older had a slight decrease in motor FIM at 1-year post-injury. Regression analysis indicated that lower functional recovery was associated with being of Black and Hispanic race and ethnicity, higher injury severity group, occurrence of non-pulmonary infection during acute care, and longer length of stay at IRF (R2 = 0.36).

CONCLUSIONS

Patient-level characteristics, trauma variables, and acute phase-related variables were associated with functional recovery post-discharge from IRF. Further research is necessary to collect and assess post-rehabilitation and socio-economic factors that play a critical role in continued functional recovery in the community.

Effects of non-invasive brain stimulation on motor function after spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In recent years, non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has been used for motor function recovery. However, the effects of NIBS in populations with spinal cord injury (SCI) remain unclear. This study aims to conduct a meta-analysis of the existing evidence on the effects and safety of NIBS against sham groups for motor dysfunction after SCI to provide a reference for clinical decision-making.

METHODS

Two investigators systematically screened English articles from PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library for prospective randomized controlled trials regarding the effects of NIBS in motor function recovery after SCI. Studies with at least three sessions of NIBS were included. We assessed the methodological quality of the selected studies using the evidence-based Cochrane Collaboration's tool. A meta-analysis was performed by pooling the standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

A total of 14 randomized control trials involving 225 participants were included. Nine studies used repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and five studies used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The meta-analysis showed that NIBS could improve the lower extremity strength (SMD = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.02-1.14, P = 0.004), balance (SMD = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.05-1.24, P = 0.03), and decrease the spasticity (SMD = - 0.64, 95% CI = - 1.20 to - 0.03, P = 0.04). However, the motor ability of the upper extremity in the NIBS groups was not statistically significant compared with those in the control groups (upper-extremity strength: P = 0.97; function: P = 0.56; and spasticity: P = 0.12). The functional mobility in the NIBS groups did not reach statistical significance when compared with the sham NIBS groups (sham groups). Only one patient reported seizures that occurred during stimulation, and no other types of serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

NIBS appears to positively affect the motor function of the lower extremities in SCI patients, despite the marginal P-value and the high heterogeneity. Further high-quality clinical trials are needed to support or refute the use and optimize the stimulation parameters of NIBS in clinical practice.

Early Clinical Prediction of Independent Outdoor Functional Walking Capacity in a Prospective Cohort of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Patients

OBJECTIVE

The first objective was to identify a method for early prediction of independent outdoor functional walking 1 yr after a traumatic spinal cord injury using the motor and sensory function derived from the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury assessment during acute care. Then, the second objective was to develop a clinically relevant prediction rule that would be accurate, easy to use, and quickly calculated in clinical setting.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort of 159 traumatic spinal cord injury patients was analyzed. Bivariate correlations were used to determine the assessment method of motor strength and sensory function as well as the specific dermatomes and myotomes best associated with independent outdoor functional walking 1 yr after injury. An easy-to-use clinical prediction rule was produced using a multivariable linear regression model.

RESULTS

The highest motor strength for a given myotome (L3 and L5) and preserved light touch sensation (dermatome S1) were the best predictors of the outcome. The proposed prediction rule displayed a sensitivity of 84.21%, a specificity of 85.54%, and a global accuracy of 84.91% for classification.

CONCLUSIONS

After an acute traumatic spinal cord injury, accurately predicting the ability to walk is challenging. The proposed clinical prediction rule aims to enhance previous work by identifying traumatic spinal cord injury patients who will reach a mobility level that fosters social participation and quality of life in the chronic period after the injury.

TO CLAIM CME CREDITS

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CME OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to: (1) Revise the different motor and sensory function assessment methods used for prognostication of walking after an acute traumatic spinal cord injury; (2) Identify clinical factors that are significantly associated with functional walking 1 yr after a traumatic spinal cord injury; and (3) Accurately estimate the likelihood of reaching independent outdoor functional walking in the chronic phase after an acute traumatic spinal cord injury.

LEVEL

Advanced.

ACCREDITATION

The Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Reliability validity and responsiveness of the spinal cord independence measure 4th version in a multicultural setup

OBJECTIVE

To examine the fourth version of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure for reliability and validity.

DESIGN

Partly blinded comparison with the criterion standard Spinal Cord Independence Measure III, and between examiners and examinations.

SETTING

A multicultural cohort from 19 spinal cord injury units in 11 countries.

PARTICIPANTS

Six hundred and forty-eight patients with spinal cord injury.

INTERVENTION

Assessment with Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM IV) and Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III) on admission to inpatient rehabilitation and before discharge.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

SCIM IV interrater reliability, internal consistency, correlation with and difference from SCIM III, and responsiveness.

RESULTS

Total agreement between examiners was above 80% on most SCIM IV tasks. All Kappa coefficients were above 0.70 and statistically significant (p<0.001). Pearson's coefficients of the correlation between the examiners were above 0.90, and intraclass correlation coefficients were above 0.90. Cronbach's alpha was above 0.96 for the entire SCIM IV, above 0.66 for the subscales, and usually decreased when an item was eliminated. Reliability values were lower for the subscale of respiration and sphincter management, and on admission than at discharge. SCIM IV and SCIM III mean values were very close, and the coefficients of Pearson correlation between them were 0.91-0.96 (p<0.001). The responsiveness of SCIM IV was not significantly different from that of SCIM III in most of the comparisons.

CONCLUSIONS

The validity, reliability, and responsiveness of SCIM IV, which was adjusted to assess specific patient conditions or situations that SCIM III does not address, and which includes more accurate definitions of certain scoring criteria, are very good and quite similar to those of SCIM III. SCIM IV can be used for clinical and research trials, including international multi-center studies, and its group scores can be compared with those of SCIM III.

Who recovers independent bowel management during the first year following a traumatic spinal cord injury? A case-control study

OBJECTIVES

1) document the characteristics of patients with impaired bowel functioning during the subacute and chronic phases; 2) identify factors associated with recovery of independent bowel functioning during the first year following TSCI in patients who present impaired bowel functioning during the subacute phase, when bowel rehabilitation is completed.

DESIGN

Case-control study on 123 adult TSCI patients. Bowel function assessments using item 7 of the SCIM-III were obtained 3-months following TSCI and during the early chronic phase. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify predictors associated with recovery of independent bowel functioning between the initial assessment and follow-up.

RESULTS

Of the 110 patients available for analysis, 54 (49%) displayed impaired bowel functioning 3-months following TSCI. Of these, 19 (35%) recovered independent bowel functioning over the following 9 months. The total motor score (TMS) was the only significant predictor of this outcome. A TMS lower than 42 was 100% predictive of absence of recovery.

CONCLUSION

Recovering independent bowel management 1-year after TSCI was possible in 35% of patients despite impaired bowel functioning during the subacute phase. TMS measured 3-months post-injury could be useful for prognosticating potential for bowel functioning recovery since patients with TMS < 42 are unlikely to recover.

Are early clinical manifestations of spasticity associated with long-term functional outcome following spinal cord injury? A retrospective study

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study of a prospective cohort of patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).

OBJECTIVES

Determine the relationship between the occurrence of early spasticity, defined as the development of signs and/or symptoms of spasticity during the hospitalization in traumatology, and the functional outcome 6-12 months following a SCI. Secondly, to determine the specific impact of early clonus, velocity-dependent hypertonia and/or muscle spasms on the functional outcome at the same timepoint.

SETTING

Single trauma center specialized in SCI care.

METHODS

One hundred sixty-two patients sustaining an acute traumatic SCI were included in the analyses. Comparative analysis was performed to describe the characteristics of patients with early spasticity. Correlations were performed to determine the relationship between the clinical signs of spasticity and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) scores collected 6-12 months after SCI.

RESULTS

51.9% of the cohort developed clinical signs of spasticity during the hospitalization in traumatology (29.7 days) following SCI. These showed a significantly lower total SCIM score and subscores compared to individuals without early spasticity at follow-up (p < 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, the occurrence of early spasms was only clinical sign of spasticity significantly associated with a decreased mobility at follow-up (r = -0.17, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The development of signs and symptoms of spasticity, in particular the occurrence of spasms in the first month following the injury may be associated with decreased functional outcome and mobility. Early assessment of spasticity following SCI is thus recommended.

Effects of Online Home Nursing Care Model Application on Patients with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Objective

This study aims to explore the effects of an online home nursing care model application on patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI).

Methods

Eighty patients with TSCI discharged from the hospital between January 2015 and January 2018 were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the control group and the observation group (n = 40, each). The patients in the control group were given routine discharge guidance, while the patients in the observation group were given online home nursing care. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short-form health survey (MOS SF-36), and complication-incidence rate were used to evaluate the efficiency of the online home nursing care model.

Results

There were no differences in the ODI and MOS SF-36 scores between the two groups at discharge. However, the ODI and MOS SF-36 scores in the observation group showed significant improvement compared with the control group (p < 0.05) during the most recent follow-up. The incidence of complications, such as constipation, joint stiffness, muscle atrophy, foot drop, and pressure sores, were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The online home nursing care model can reduce complication incidence, alleviate dysfunction, and improve the quality of life of patients with TSCI.

Clinical utility during inpatient rehabilitation of a clinical prediction rule for ambulation prognosis following spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVE

Mobility prognosis is a key focus during rehabilitation following spinal cord injury (SCI). The goal of this study was to prospectively evaluate the clinical utility of the van Middendorp clinical prediction rule (CPR).

DESIGN

Observational study.

SETTING

Inpatient rehabilitation unit.

PARTICIPANTS

Physical therapists and their patients with acute SCI and SCI disorders (SCI/D) for whom long-term ambulation prognosis was judged difficult to determine.

INTERVENTIONS

N/A.

OUTCOME MEASURES

CPR-determined probability of ambulation, therapist reported clinical utility (yes/no), shared with the patient (yes/no), useful for motivation/setting realistic expectations, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Locomotion walk score.

RESULTS

Five therapists and 52 patients (8 non-traumatic SCI/D) participated. 91% had lesions classified as AIS C or D. The median [IQR] for CPR probability of ambulation was 96.0 [86.5,99.0] for traumatic SCI and 80.0 [64.5, 94.5] for non-traumatic SCI/D. Clinical utility was reported for 45% of those with SCI and 88% with non-traumatic SCI/D. Therapists with less experience were more likely to report clinical utility and share with their patients. Ambulation probability was higher for patients who did not meet their FIM goal. CPR probability was correlated with discharge FIM only for non-traumatic SCI/D.

CONCLUSION

The CPR was not predictive of inpatient rehabilitation outcomes, in fact outcomes varied widely for individuals with similar probabilities emphasizing the importance of clinical judgement and continued need to identify individual factors that affect ambulation. However, greater utility in establishing prognosis and goal setting was noted for clinicians with less experience and for individuals with non-traumatic SCI/D.

Return to work after spinal cord injury: a Singaporean pilot community-based rehabilitation program

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of data collected as part of a pilot program.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of our study was to document the return-to-work rate of individuals with SCI who participated in a community-based interdisciplinary vocational rehabilitation program. The secondary objectives were to assess changes in their levels of community integration and functional independence.

SETTING

A community-based rehabilitation center in Singapore.

METHODS

Participants were individuals with SCI between 21 and 55 years. They identified return to work as a rehabilitation goal, and were certified fit to undergo rehabilitation by their physicians. Primary outcome was the return-to-work rate at discharge from the program. Secondary outcomes were community integration and functional independence, measured by the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM-III), respectively. We summarized participants' clinical and socio-demographic characteristics descriptively, and used inferential statistics to compare pre- and postprogram scores for secondary outcome measures.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine participants were included for this study. Thirty-two completed the program, of which 84% (n = 27) reported returning to work. Participants who completed the program had mean change in total CIQ and SCIM-III scores of 7 (95% CI, 5-8) and 11 (95% CI, 7-15), respectively. There were differences (p < 0.05) between pre- and postprogram scores for both secondary outcome measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that our vocational rehabilitation program facilitated participants with SCI in Singapore to return to work and was beneficial to enhance their levels of community integration and functional independence. Future interventional studies are recommended to estimate the efficacy of such programs.

The Functional Impact of the Absence of a Bulbocavernosus Reflex in the Postoperative Period After a Motor-Complete Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of the absence of a bulbocavernosus reflex in the postoperative period on the neurological and functional recovery 6-12 mos after a motor-complete traumatic spinal cord injury.

DESIGN

A retrospective review of a prospective database was completed among 66 patients. The functional and neurological statuses between individuals with and without a bulbocavernosus reflex were compared. A general linear model was used to investigate the association between the postoperative bulbocavernosus reflex status and the functional outcome, using the Spinal Cord Independence Measure.

RESULTS

Forty percent of the cohort had no bulbocavernosus reflex 5 days after trauma. Individuals with a bulbocavernosus reflex showed a higher rate of American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade conversion, improvement of the level of injury, and higher functional scores; however, it did not reach a significant level. The bulbocavernosus reflex status in the postoperative period was not significantly associated with the functional status 6-12 mos after injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Late recovery of the bulbocavernosus reflex in the postoperative period may be associated with poorer neurological and functional outcome for individuals sustaining a motor-complete traumatic spinal cord injury, for which the prognosis estimation is limited. A prospective study including a larger number of patients is necessary to confirm results of this study.