ICF Based Comprehensive Evaluation for Post-Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2012 · DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5535/arm.2012.36.6.804 · Published: December 1, 2012

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Research Methodology & Design

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in evaluating patients with spinal cord injuries during their early rehabilitation phase. The rehabilitation team, including doctors, therapists, and social workers, assessed 62 patients and linked their evaluations to the ICF to see how well the ICF framework could capture the patients' needs and challenges. The research aims to offer a practical method for using the ICF in clinical rehabilitation, ensuring that important aspects of a patient's condition are not overlooked during comprehensive evaluations.

Study Duration

From February 2008 to June 2011

Participants

62 early post-acute spinal cord injury (SCI) patients

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The study found that first-level ICF categories provide a useful structure for comprehensive evaluations in early post-acute SCI.
2
The brief ICF core set covered 82.4% of the evaluation content, suggesting its relevance, but also indicating that some significant aspects could be missed if relying solely on the core set.
3
Personal factors, such as a patient's insight into their prognosis, are crucial but not directly captured by the ICF, highlighting the need to consider these factors separately.

Research Summary

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and utility of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in the comprehensive evaluation of patients with early post-acute spinal cord injury (SCI). The comprehensive evaluations of 62 SCI patients were retrospectively linked to the ICF second-level categories, and the frequency of linked items was analyzed and compared with the brief ICF core set for early post-acute SCI. The study concludes that while the ICF provides a structural base for comprehensive evaluation, a checklist considering frequently linked items and personal factors is necessary to prevent omission of significant contents.

Practical Implications

Structured Evaluation

Using ICF first-level categories can provide a structured framework for comprehensive evaluations of SCI patients.

Comprehensive Assessment

The brief ICF core set may not fully capture all relevant aspects, necessitating a broader evaluation approach.

Personalized Care

Personal factors, such as a patient's understanding of their prognosis, should be considered in addition to ICF categories for tailored rehabilitation goals.

Study Limitations

1
The study did not use ICF qualifiers, potentially overlooking the degree of significance for linked ICF categories in individual patients.
2
The research did not make task assignments for rehabilitation team members using the ICF or make outcome measurements after rehabilitation treatment.
3
The time standard for the period of acute spinal cord injury is not exactly defined.

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