Prognostic validity of trunk control scales for mobility in individuals with motor complete thoracic SCI: a prospective cohort study

Study design: Prospective cohort study. Objectives: To investigate the sensitivity to change and prognostic validity of Trunk Control Test (TCT) and Thoracic-Lumbar Control Scale (TLC) in terms of mobility in persons with motor complete thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI). Setting: Participants were recruited at an Italian SCI rehabilitation facility from October 2015 to January 2020. Methods: Inclusion criteria were acute traumatic or non-traumatic event and T1-L1 neurological level. Trunk control and mobility were assessed at baseline, discharge, and at 6 and 18-month follow-ups. Mobility was measured using Spinal Cord Independence Measure III mobility subscale. Linear regression models were used to analyze changes in trunk control and mobility over time, and the relationship between these measures. Results: The 39 participants were predominantly male, with a mean age of 38 years. Trunk control improved during rehabilitation, at 6-month follow-up, and remained stable thereafter, according to TCT and TLC scales. A higher baseline TCT score was associated with improvements in mobility at discharge and at follow-ups. Baseline TLC score and its change during rehabilitation were unrelated with changes in mobility. Conclusions: Results suggest that the TCT and TLC scales are useful to capture changes in trunk control during the acute and subacute phases. Improvements in functional mobility are however associated with TCT score only, suggesting the potential of this test as a useful prognostic indicator. Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to determine whether these findings are consistent across neurological level strata.