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Activity and participation after spinal cord injury: State-of-the-art report. Philip M. Ullrich, PhD; Ann M. Spungen, EdD; Darryn Atkinson, PT; Charles H. Bombardier, PhD; Yuying Chen, MD, PhD; Norma A. Erosa, MS; Shirley Groer, PhD; Lisa Ottomanelli, PhD; David S. Tulsky, PhD. Study Aim
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Activity and participation after spinal cord injury: State-of-the-art report Philip M. Ullrich, PhD; Ann M. Spungen, EdD; Darryn Atkinson, PT; Charles H. Bombardier, PhD; Yuying Chen, MD, PhD; Norma A. Erosa, MS; Shirley Groer, PhD; Lisa Ottomanelli, PhD; David S. Tulsky, PhD
Study Aim • Summarize expert recommendations for researchers measuring activity and participation among persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). • Relevance • Activity and participation are critical outcomes for persons with SCI/D but existing measurement tools have significant limitations. • Future research could benefit from a synthesis of expert opinion on activity and participation measurement and research recommendations.
Methods • In January 2010, SCI/D rehabilitation researchers and clinicians participated in State-of-the-Art Conference on Outcome Measures in Rehabilitation. • Using their knowledge base and expert opinion, participants formulated recommendations for researchers. • Participants evaluated instruments currently being used or developed to measure outcomes after SCI/D.
Results • Measures of activity and participation and factors influencing activity and participation are reviewed and critiqued. • Gaps in available measures are described, measures in development are discussed, and suggestions for future research are made.
Conclusions • Investigators should become aware of the flaws in available measures in order to make informed decisions for specific projects. • Many measures are available that can serve as indices of activity, participation, and influential factors until the next generation of instruments is developed and disseminated.