Category specification and measurement instruments in large spinal cord injury studies: a comparison using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health as a reference.

The objective of this paper was to examine whether large longitudinal studies have comprehensively covered the functioning of persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI), using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as reference framework. First, the literature was reviewed to select relevant studies. Second, category specifications measured in the included studies were linked to the ICF and compared with the Brief ICF Core Sets for postacute and chronic situations.