Prognostic validity of a clinical trunk control test for independence and walking in individuals with spinal cord injury

This study investigates whether a trunk control test can predict walking ability and independence in daily activities for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The ability to walk and perform daily tasks independently are key goals in SCI rehabilitation. Ninety individuals with sub-acute SCI participated in a rehabilitation program. Their trunk control was assessed at the start, and their walking ability and independence were evaluated over the following year. The findings suggest that the trunk control test can indeed help predict a person's likelihood of walking and being independent one year after a spinal cord injury, regardless of the severity or location of the injury.

• 1
  Individuals with good trunk control at the start of the study were significantly more likely to be walking and independent in their daily activities after 12 months compared to those with poor trunk control.
• 2
  Good trunk control significantly increased the likelihood of walking independently at 12 months (4.6 times more likely) and being independent in activities of daily living (2.9 times more likely).
• 3
  The study identified the AIS (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale) grade D as the most important predictor of walking at 1 year.