Description

Contains five grades of impairment:

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  Grade A—Complete

  
  
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  Grade B—Incomplete: sensory but not motor function is preserved below the neurological level and includes the sacral segments S4/5

  
  
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  Grade C—Incomplete: motor function is preserved below the neurological level, and more than half of the key muscles below the neurological level have a muscle grade less than 3 strength

  
  
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  Grade D—Incomplete: motor function is preserved below the neurological level, and at least half of the key muscles below the neurological level have a muscle grade of 3 or more strength

  
  
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  Grade E—Normal

Interpretation

Grades are presented in ascending order of severity.

Clinical relevance

Assess severity of spinal cord injury.

Description

18 items relating to the following categories:

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  Self-care (42 points)

  
  
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  Sphincter control (14 points)

  
  
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  Transfers (7 points)

  
  
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  Mobility (14 points)

  
  
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  Locomotion (14 points)

  
  
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  Communication and cognition (35 points)

Each item scored on a 1 to 7 point scale.

Interpretation

Total score is the sum of all items.

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  Maximum score: 126

  
  
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  Minimum score: 18

The lower the score, the greater the disability.

Clinical relevance

A global assessment of daily physical and cognitive function often used for determining the need for additional supportive care.

Description

16 items relating to the following categories:

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  Self-care (20 points)

  
  
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  Respiration and sphincter management (40 points)

  
  
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  Mobility in room and around toilet (10 points)

  
  
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  Mobility indoors and outdoors (30 points)

Each item scored on a scale with a minimum score of 0 and a variable maximum score of 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, or 15.