J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2002 Sep;6(3):222-232.

Age-Related Differences in Rehabilitation Outcome in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Patients

• Lim JY
• Shin HI
• Kim GR
• Kim DA
• Kim JY
• Rha IS
• Lee ES

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The growing number of spinal cord injured individuals facing old age makes the understanding of age related limitations increasingly important. This study was to investigate the age-related differences in rehabilitation outcome according to the level of cervical spinal cord injury and each category of activity of daily living(ADL).
METHODS
Subjects were 79 adults with tetraplegia all of whom were admitted in National Rehabilitation Hospital. The level of injury was classified into upper cervical(C4, C5), mid-cervical(C6), and lower cervical(C7, C8) spinal cord injury. Eight ADL categories including feeding, grooming, bathing, dressing, toileting, bed-transfer, toilet/tub transfer, and indoor mobility were assessed using the scale of Spinal Cord Independence Measure. Age related differences were examined by separating the sample into two age groups(> or =40 and <40 years)
RESULTS
There was no age related difference in rehabilitation outcome in upper cervical cord injury patients. In mid-cervical cord injury level, ADL capacities differed only in the feeding and grooming activities. In lower cervical cord injury level, older patients showed lower rehabilitation outcome than younger counterparts in all ADL categories examined.
CONCLUSION
Along with injury level, age should be considered when formulating rehabilitation plans and functional prognostic statements in tetraplegic patients.

MeSH Terms

Activities of Daily Living
Adult
Animals
Bandages
Baths
Grooming
Humans
Quadriplegia
Rehabilitation*
Spinal Cord Injuries*
Spinal Cord*
Treatment Outcome*