Study design and patient population

A cross-sectional follow-up study was conducted with patients admitted to an acute spine center with a TLSCI (T11 to L3) between 1995 and 2005. Additional inclusion criteria were: having lived with TLSCI for a minimum of two years at the time of the follow-up; age 18 years or older; a diagnosis of a motor deficit according to the International Standards for the Neurological Classification of SCI (ISNCSCI)²⁴ with an American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) A-D; and participation in a standardized rehabilitation program. Individuals were excluded if they: had organic brain disease, dementia, or head injury precluding completion of the follow-up assessment; a major neurological comorbidity that prevents motor assessment; admission to the acute spine unit greater than 72 hours after injury; or an inability to complete follow-up. A spine database was used to identify eligible participants.