The Impact of Sacral Sensory Sparing in Motor Complete Spinal Cord Injury

Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2011 · DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2010.07.242 · Published: March 1, 2011

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Research Methodology & Design

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how having some sensation in the sacral area (sacral sensory sparing) affects people with complete spinal cord injuries. The researchers looked at neurologic, functional, and social outcomes one year after rehabilitation. They found that individuals with sacral sparing (AIS grade B) generally had better outcomes than those without (AIS grade A), particularly in bladder management, perceived health, and social participation.

Study Duration

1 year

Participants

N=4106 persons enrolled in the model system with a motor complete injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Persons with AIS grade B were less likely to require indwelling catheterization and be hospitalized.
2
Persons with AIS grade B were more likely to perceive better health, report greater functional independence, and report social participation.
3
A greater portion of individuals with AIS grade B at discharge had improved neurologic recovery at 1 year postinjury than those with AIS grade A.

Research Summary

This study assessed the impact of sacral sensory sparing (AIS grade B) versus no sacral sensory sparing (AIS grade A) in individuals with motor complete spinal cord injuries (SCI) on various outcomes one year post-rehabilitation discharge. The results indicated that those with AIS grade B at discharge showed improvements in bladder management, hospitalization rates, perceived health status, functional independence, and social participation compared to those with AIS grade A. However, many of the initial differences in functional and social outcomes were attributed to neurologic recovery (AIS grade conversion) occurring between discharge and the 1-year follow-up, emphasizing the importance of considering neurologic recovery in SCI research and rehabilitation.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

Rehabilitation programs should consider the presence of sacral sparing when designing interventions, as these individuals may have a greater potential for improved outcomes.

Prognosis and Patient Education

Clinicians can use this information to provide more accurate prognoses and educate patients and families about the potential benefits of sacral sparing.

Research Design

Future SCI research should separate patients with motor complete injuries based on the presence or absence of sacral sensation to better understand the impact of this factor.

Study Limitations

1
Loss to follow up and bias posed by missing data.
2
Inability to study bowel function in detail due to limitations in the database.
3
Lack of information on the frequency or cause of hospitalizations.

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