Functional independence in persons with spinal cord injury in Helsinki.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the functional independence of persons with spinal cord injury according to the Functional Independence Measure motor items. DESIGN The study design was cross-sectional. SUBJECTS All adult citizens of Helsinki with traumatic spinal cord injury were identified. The final study group consisted of 121/152 subjects (80%). METHODS Functional Independence Measure assessments and American Spinal Cord Association examinations were performed on all subjects by the same experienced group including a physician and a physiotherapist. RESULTS The most assistance-craving items were climbing stairs and bladder management. There were no significant differences between the genders. Subjects with tetraplegia needed significantly more assistance in all motor items except walking/wheelchair locomotion, where there was no significant difference. Subjects with tetraplegia in American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale D had higher Functional Independence Measure scores, more functional independence, than subjects in American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A-C, the difference being significant. CONCLUSION Because of new information, the results of this study may provide better possibilities for planning and coordinating rehabilitation measures and social services.