[THE CONTRIBUTION OF INPATIENT REHABILITATION IN ISRAEL TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF DAILY FUNCTIONING AFTER SPINAL CORD LESIONS].

Introduction: Spinal cord lesions (SCL) are usually followed by neurological and functional improvement. The neurological improvement is natural and improves the functional potential of the patients, while rehabilitation improves the realization of that potential. The functional change depends on the neurological change, and usually does not represent the contribution of rehabilitation alone to the functional improvement.

Aims: To evaluate the net contribution of inpatient rehabilitation in Israel to functioning after SCL, and the ability to predict this contribution, which reflects the success of rehabilitation.

Methods: Demographic and clinical data of SCL patients admitted to rehabilitation between 2011 and 2020 were collected retrospectively. The data were used to calculate Spinal Cord Injury Ability Realization Measurement Index (SCI-ARMI) scores, isolating the effect of neurologic status on functioning, its change during rehabilitation, and factors affecting it. Data were analyzed using t-tests, Pearson correlations, ANOVA, and ANCOVA.

Results: A total of 1,433 patients were included in the study. Their age was 54±17 years, 32% were females, and 37.2% had traumatic injuries. American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grades were A in 11% of the patients, B in 4.8%, C in 17.3% and D in 65.9%. SCI-ARMI was 52±24 at admission to rehabilitation, and 73.5±19 at discharge (41% improvement, p<0.001). Likewise, the neurological motor status and function significantly improved. SCI-ARMI improvement increased with lower admission SCI-ARMI values (r=-0.654, p<0.001) and younger age (r=-0.122, p<0.001), and correlated with longer stay in rehabilitation (r=0.261, p<0.001).

Conclusions: Inpatient rehabilitation in Israel made a substantial contribution to functional improvement. Lower realization of the functional potential at admission to rehabilitation predicted greater success in the process of SCL rehabilitation.