Consumer preference in ranking walking function utilizing the walking index for spinal cord injury II

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Clinical Trials
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Assessing walking function is crucial in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation.
• The Walking Index for SCI II (WISCI II) is a common scale for evaluating walking ability.
• Understanding patient preferences for different walking methods is essential for effective trial design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine consumer preferences for walking function using the WISCI II scale in individuals with SCI.
• To compare consumer preferences with objective measures in SCI walking function studies.

Main Methods:

• A blinded rank ordering method was employed.
• 42 individuals with incomplete SCI from Canada, Italy, and the USA participated.
• Participants ranked 20 levels of the WISCI II scale based on their walking preference, using percentile, conjoint/cluster, and graphic analyses.

Main Results:

• Consumer rankings of walking function exhibited a bimodal distribution.
• A significant preference for walking with assistance (e.g., walker, one person) was observed in a larger subgroup.
• Unexpectedly, 64% of consumers ranked levels involving assistance higher than levels requiring no assistance.

Conclusions:

• Consumer preferences for walking function diverge from traditional objective measures.
• Incorporating patient-reported outcomes and preferences is vital for designing meaningful SCI clinical trials.
• Future SCI trials should consider consumer preferences alongside objective walking function assessments.