Citation

Chen Y, Devivo MJ, Richards JS, SanAgustin TB. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2016; 97(10): 1797-1804.

Affiliation

National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.apmr.2016.02.027

PMID

27671806

Abstract

The Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) centers have provided continuous, comprehensive multidisciplinary care for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States since their inception in 1970. In addition, the research conducted and the analysis of data collected at these centers facilitate advances in the care and the overall quality of life for people with SCI. Over the past 45 years, the SCIMS program and National Spinal Cord Injury Database (NSCID) have undergone major revisions, which must be recognized in the planning, conduct, and interpretation of SCIMS research to prevent misinterpretation of findings. Therefore, we provide herein a brief review of the SCIMS program and the associated NSCID throughout its history, emphasizing changes and accomplishments within the past 15 years, to facilitate a better understanding and interpretation of the data presented in SCIMS research publications, including the articles published in this special issue of the Archives.

Copyright © 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en