Clinical interpretation of the spinal cord injury functional index (SCI-FI)

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Abstract:

Study evaluated the validity of the functional ability levels for the Spinal Cord Injury–Functional Index (SCI-FI). Data were collected from 855 individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) enrolled in 6 rehabilitation centers participating in the National SCI Model Systems Network. Cluster analyses identified three distinct groups that represent low, mid-range, and high SCI-FI functional ability levels. Comparison of clusters on personal and other injury characteristics indicated some significant differences between groups. These results strongly support the use of SCI-FI functional ability levels to document the perceived functional abilities of people with SCI. The results of the cluster analysis suggest that the SCI-FI functional ability levels capture function by injury characteristics. Clinical implications regarding tracking functional activity trajectories during follow-up visits are discussed.

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