Motor scores on the functional independence measure after pediatric spinal cord injury

D D Allen, M J Mulcahey, S M Haley, M J DeVivo, L C Vogel, C McDonald, T Duffy and R R Betz.

This study aims to evaluate the functional ability of children with spinal cord injury (SCI) as recorded on motor items of the functional independence measure (FIM) and to examine the factors associated with FIM motor admission and post-discharge gain scores. 941 children's files where analyzed.

The authors conclude that the motor function of children after pediatric SCI is influenced by neurological level and completeness of injury, among other factors and that FIM motor scores can improve with intervention up to several years after the injury.

Spinal Cord, published online ahead of print, 5/08/2008.

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