title: Walking-related outcomes for individuals with traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury inform physical therapy practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe and compare patient demographics, inpatient lengths of stay (LOS), and walking-related functional outcomes of individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) of traumatic (TSCI) and non-traumatic (NTSCI) etiologies. To contrast these features between individuals who walked from those who did not walk at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observational study; comparisons between TSCI and NTSCI, walkers and non-walkers. Information collected as a pilot project within a provincial SCI informatics strategy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rehabilitation hospital specialized for SCIs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults with NTSCI (n = 31) or TSCI (n = 59) admitted to inpatient rehabilitation, 2007-2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lower-extremity motor scores (LEMS), spinal cord independence measure version III (SCIM-III) total and mobility subscores, functional independence measure (FIM), Length of Stay (LOS) at inpatient facilities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Groups (NTSCI vs. TSCI) did not differ in the proportion of individuals that achieved "walker" status (SCIM-III mobility indoors (MI) score ≥ 3 at rehab discharge) (P = 0.41, 48.9% overall). Inpatient LOS at both acute care and rehabilitation facilities did not differ between groups; however, TSCI non-walkers had longer inpatient rehabilitation LOS than TSCI walkers. Among walkers, improvement was shown on all three mobility subscores of the SCIM-III between admission and discharge from rehabilitation; highest significance was shown on the SCIM-III MI. Walking status at discharge (SCIM-III MI) was most strongly correlated with LEMS at rehab admission (r = 0.71, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Walking outcomes are comparable among individuals with NTSCI vs. TSCI admitted for specialized SCI rehabilitation. Routine use of SCIM-III mobility items for assessment of walking outcome is recommended for inpatient rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Andresa R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Marinho
authors.forename: Heather M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Flett
authors.forename: Catharine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Craven
authors.forename: C Andrea
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ottensmeyer
authors.forename: Daria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: Molly C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Verrier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*