Article

The objective of this paper was to examine whether large longitudinal studies
have comprehensively covered the functioning of persons with spinal cord injuries
(SCI), using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and
Health (ICF) as reference framework. First, the literature was reviewed to select
relevant studies. Second, category specifications measured in the included
studies were linked to the ICF and compared with the Brief ICF Core Sets for
postacute and chronic situations. Finally, all measurement instruments used to
assess these category specifications were listed according to the corresponding
ICF category. Four studies were included: the National SCI Database in the United
States, the Australian SCI Register, the European Multicenter Study about SCI,
and the Dutch research program "Restoration of mobility in SCI rehabilitation."
All measures could be linked to the ICF Core Sets. However, all studies only
partly covered (range, 14-27) the 49 categories of the Brief ICF Core Sets. Least
well covered were categories of body structures and environmental factors.
Besides the International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI
(American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale), the areas of functioning
were measured using the same measurement instruments in all studies. None of the
included longitudinal studies comprehensively cover functioning. There is the
need to develop truly comprehensive longitudinal studies in SCI.

Langue : ANGLAIS