A computerized system for the application of Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scale in Wistar rats.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and test a computer program to assist researchers in assigning scores in the application of the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scale and to compare these scores when doing so in free, targeted and automated computer-assisted modes.


METHODS
To test the program, the participants used the Impactor methodology recommended by the New York University (USA), in which 12 Wistar rats submitted to spinal cord injury were filmed on the 28(th) day after the injury. Eight researchers from the Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil took part in the study. The two heads of the laboratory, with 15 years of experience in the application of the scale, were considered the gold standard.


RESULTS
The results of the scale application were not significantly different in relation to the gold standard, considering the mean of the evaluators in each method: free, targeted and automated form (with the help of the computer).


CONCLUSIONS
The application of the BBB scale in the automated mode, using the computer program, did not present any difference in relation to the gold standard for all the evaluators. Level of Evidence II, Diagnostic Studies.
Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Alessandra Eira Iague Sleiman
AE
Molina
Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Alexandre Fogaça
AF
Cristante
Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Tarcisio Eloy Pessoa
TE
de Barros
Universidade de São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina Instituto do Coração (InCor), São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Marcos Sleiman
MS
Molina
Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Santos da Fundação Lusíada, Santos, SP, Brasil.
Tainá Peral
TP
Molina
Diagnosis, computer-assisted; Evaluation; Methods; Rats; Spinal cord compression; Spine