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Updated: May 29, 2026
A Novel Vertebral Stabilization Method for Producing Contusive Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: January 5, 2015
Developing a contemporary patient-reported outcomes measure for spinal cord injury
David S Tulsky1, Pamela A Kisala, David Victorson
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800, USA. dtulsky@med.umich.edu
Objective:
To develop a spinal cord injury (SCI)-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure of health-related quality of life (QOL) covering multiple domains of functioning, including physical, emotional, and social health.
Design:
Focus groups.
Setting:
Four SCI Model Systems rehabilitation hospitals.
Participants:
Individuals with SCI (n=65) and clinicians (n=42).
Interventions:
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measure:
Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Measurement System (SCI-QOL).
Results:
Qualitative analysis yielded 3 domains of primary importance: physical-medical health, emotional health, and social participation. Results were used to guide domain and item decisions in the development of the SCI-QOL PRO measurement system. Qualitative data were used to develop item pools with item content specific to individuals with SCI across a wide spectrum of functioning. When possible, items from other major measurement initiatives were included verbatim in the item pools to link the measurement systems and facilitate cross-study and cross-population comparisons.
Conclusions:
Issues that affect individuals' QOL after SCI are varied and several issues are unique to individuals who have had a traumatic injury. From these qualitative data, 3 major domains and 18 subdomains of functioning were identified. Item pools were developed in each of these 18 areas to measure functioning related to physical-medical issues, emotional status, and social participation.
