Functional assessment measures in CNS trauma

How effectively the survivor of CNS trauma can function in society is the ultimate clinical outcome. Many victims of spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are frequently left with permanent impairment. Measurements of impairment, and the direct relationship to the functional loss and resultant disability, should be the gold standard for determining the effectiveness of interventions. The primary impairments in SCI are motor and sensory loss while those in TBI are neurobehavioral disorders. Classifications for impairment are reasonably well defined in SCI and several approaches are gaining wide acceptance. We hope that internationally agreed upon standards will be forthcoming within the year. The functional independence measure (FIM), which was developed in the past 6-7 years, will be added to the standards. It shows good reliability for SCI as an overall assessment and some of the specific categories of self-care and mobility. An extension of the FIM is needed for more precise measurement of function in quadriplegic subjects. Classification of impairment in TBI has been more difficult. While the Glasgow Outcome Scale has gained international acceptance for almost 10 years, it has limitations in gradations from the moderate disability to the good recovery groups. The Disability Rating Scale (DRS) has shown good reliability, better precision than the Glasgow Outcome Scale, and greater reliability than other measures. An extension of the FIM, called the functional assessment measure (FAM), and the DRS are currently being tested by regional TBI centers in the United States. Functional assessment measures should be available within the next several years.