[Rehabilitation therapy in early stage following spinal cord injuries].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of rehabilitation therapy in early stage following spinal cord injury on the patients' activities of daily living (ADL) and functional independence measure (FIM).


METHODS
Ninety-two patients with spinal cord injuries were divided into early rehabilitation group (n=48) and control group (n=44) according to the timing of the rehabilitation therapy. Rehabilitation assessment of the patients with Barthel index and FIM was carried out before and 6 months after the rehabilitation therapy respectively for comparison. Different rehabilitation regimens were adopted for specific clinic stage of the patients, lasting for a total of 6 months.


RESULTS
Barthel index and FIM score were all improved after the rehabilitation therapy in both of the two groups, but the improvements were more significant in early rehabilitation group (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Early rehabilitation treatment is crucial for patients with spinal cord injuries in that it improves the patients' motor function, ADL and functional independence after the injury.
Deng
Ai-wen
AW
Department of Rehabilitation, Longgang Central Hospital, Shenzhen 518116, China.
Wei
Dong
D
Zhang
Jian-hong
JH
Ran
Chun-feng
CF
Wang
Min
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*