Journal of rehabilitation research and development
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We intend to demonstrate that future treatment strategies in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation to restore function (SCI rehabilitation) should be based on the success of rigorous clinical trials with demonstrated effective interventions. Knowing the course of neurological recovery, its mechanism, and its measures will be essential in designing and executing these trials. We reviewed selected recovery outcomes and measures from multicenter studies and a large SCI database. ⋯ The Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI) has recently demonstrated criterion validity and increased sensitivity and responsiveness to change in neurological/walking function in subjects with SCI. The WISCI scale correlated well with measures in use to determine improved walking function regarding walking speed, lower-limb motor scores, and other measures. Demonstrating improved neurologic and functional outcomes following SCI requires accurate neurologic and sensitive functional measures.