One-year follow-up of Chinese people with spinal cord injury: A preliminary study

This study investigated the functional outcomes of Chinese individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) over a one-year period. It examined how their functional status changed from the time of admission to a rehabilitation center, through discharge, and up to one year after being discharged into the community. The study tracked participants' functional abilities using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), which assesses motor and cognitive skills. Researchers also collected information on the assistive devices used by participants and their engagement in life roles such as work or education. The findings revealed that while participants generally showed improvement in functional status, very few were able to return to productive life roles, such as employment or academic pursuits, one year after discharge. The study suggests the need for longer follow-up periods to understand the long-term well-being and community reintegration of individuals with SCI.

• 1
  Significant differences in FIM motor scores were found between the tetraplegia group and other diagnostic groups, indicating varying levels of functional improvement based on the severity and level of injury.
• 2
  People in the ASIA D group demonstrated significant functional improvement even one year after discharge, suggesting that individuals with incomplete SCI can continue to make progress in their functional abilities long after completing initial rehabilitation.
• 3
  Despite improvements in functional status, only a small percentage of participants were engaged in remunerative employment or academic pursuits one year post-discharge, highlighting challenges in community reintegration and return to productive life roles.