Long-term follow-up of persons with spinal cord injury integrated in the community

Aims: The main aim of this study was to identify the changes over time on the functional status of people with spinal cord injury in a sample of the South Indian population, integrated in the community, following rehabilitation. It also aimed at evaluating the adaptations that occurred in that time period, in order to facilitate planning of services based on patient requirements. Methods: Data was gathered from medical records and through structured interviews from 85 individuals with traumatic paraplegia who were rehabilitated from the Christian Medical College, Vellore. The Functional Independence Measure was used to assess activities of daily living. Thirteen variables were analysed using Chi-square and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient tests. Findings: The mean age of the patients at the time of study was 38.95 +/- 10.19. Out of the 85 patients, 89.4% were male, 43.5% were between 19 to 50 years of age and 61.2% were married. The most common site of spinal lesion (84.7%) was between T10 and T12. The majority, 64.7%, of the patients were ambulant with orthoses and appliances such as walker, crutches and canes. Most of the patients were independent in activies of daily living with some assistive devices (90.6%). The majority of the patients (76.5%) were over 5 years post injury. Conclusions: Adjustments and adaptations occurred in a time period within 5 years post injury, after which the gains were stabilized. Rehabilitation and intervention measures should focus on the initial time frame after SCI. The results may provide better understanding to plan and co-ordinate rehabilitation measures for people with SCI.