title: A statistical method for analyzing rating scale data: the BBB locomotor score.
abstract: The Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale is widely used to test behavioral consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI) to the rat. Sensitivity of this rating scale can differentiate hind limb locomotor skills over a wide range of injury severities. While the 21-point BBB scale is ordinal in nature, the present discussion recommends the use of parametric statistics to evaluate the locomotor results. Specifically, it defines appropriate statistical analysis of these data in order to facilitate interpretation of results between laboratories and to provide a common methodology for the correct interpretation of SCI behavioral data.
authors.affiliation: Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536, USA. sscheff@uky.edu
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Scheff
authors.forename: Donald A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Saucier
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Cain
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D009043:Motor Activity; D051381:Rats; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices