The impact of early spasticity on the intensive functional rehabilitation phase and community reintegration following traumatic spinal cord injury

This study examines how early spasticity, which develops during acute care after a traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI), affects rehabilitation outcomes. Spasticity is a condition characterized by increased muscle tone and spasms. The study found that early spasticity can lead to longer hospital stays, more medical complications, and a lower likelihood of returning home after rehabilitation. The research involved a retrospective analysis of data from 150 individuals who sustained a TSCI. The participants were divided into two groups: those who developed spasticity during acute care and those who did not. The study compared the rehabilitation length of stay, the occurrence of medical complications, and the discharge destination of the two groups. The findings suggest that preventing medical complications and assessing spasticity early in acute care following TSCI are crucial. Early management of spasticity, along with vigilant prevention of medical issues, could improve rehabilitation outcomes and increase the chances of patients returning home.

• 1
  Individuals with early spasticity developed medical complications during acute care and during intensive functional rehabilitation in a higher proportion.
• 2
  Early spasticity was an independent factor associated with increased total inpatient rehabilitation length of stay.
• 3
  Individuals with early spasticity were less likely to return home after rehabilitation than individuals without early spasticity.