Long-term outcomes following spinal cord injury

Long-term outcome assessment of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) beyond acute rehabilitation is becoming an increasingly important issue as life expectancies for people with SCI approach those of the general population. This article provides information about research on the long-term physical and psychological well-being and the community integration of individuals with SCI. Persons with SCI have been found to have more physical and psychological problems and they are less well integrated into the community than the general population. Long-term measurement issues, criteria for selection of instruments, and recommended instruments are discussed.