Journal of neurotrauma
-
Journal of neurotrauma · Jan 2010
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialClinical algorithm for improved prediction of ambulation and patient stratification after incomplete spinal cord injury.
The extent of ambulatory recovery after motor incomplete spinal cord injury (miSCI) differs considerably amongst affected persons. This makes individual outcome prediction difficult and leads to increased within-group variation in clinical trials. The aims of this study on subjects with miSCI were: (1) to rank the strongest single predictors and predictor combinations of later walking capacity; (2) to develop a reliable algorithm for clinical prediction; and (3) to identify subgroups with only limited recovery of walking function. ⋯ For individuals with paraparesis, prediction was less distinct, mainly due to low prediction rates for individuals with poor walking outcome. A clinical algorithm was generated that allowed for the identification of a subgroup composed of individuals with tetraparesis and poor ambulatory recovery. These data provide evidence that a combination of predictors enables a reliable prediction of walking function and early patient stratification for clinical trials in miSCI.