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Updated: Aug 25, 2026
A Contusive Model of Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Using the Infinite Horizon Impactor
Published on: July 24, 2012
A model of outcomes research: spinal cord injury
A R Meyers1, E M Andresen, K J Hagglund
1Boston University School of Public Health, New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center, MA, USA.
Objective:
To use spinal cord injury (SCI) care and research as a paradigm to illustrate how the principles and practices of outcomes research have been and can be applied to the sequelae of a specific disability.
Data Sources:
Review of data sources and literature pertaining to outcomes of SCI.
Study Selection:
English language literature, health status and health services research agencies, academic and governmental research, and surveillance settings.
Data Extraction:
A critical review of measures that have been and may be used to measure the outcomes of SCI. Special attention was paid to data sources; the need for methodologic accommodations: the research balance between generic and condition-specific methods; and the measurement outcomes that are highly relevant to people with SCIs.
Data Synthesis:
There is a substantial research record related to the natural history, rehabilitation, survival, and long-term social reintegration of people with SCI, but relatively less addressing widely used generic health outcomes.
Conclusion:
Contemporary outcomes research is relevant to people with SCI and those who provide treatment. One area of special attention is the occurrence of secondary conditions. To a large extent, SCI outcomes research can use conventional methods and generic instruments. There also is a need to modify research methods and to refine and apply some measures specific to people with SCI.
