Choice-Based Evaluation for the Improvement of Upper-Extremity Function Compared With Other Impairments in Tetraplegia

Snoek GJ, IJzerman MJ, Post MW, Stiggelbout AM, Roach MJ, Zilvold G. Choice-based evaluation for the improvement of upper-extremity function compared with other impairments in tetraplegia. To assess preference of reconstructive treatment of upper extremities in subjects with tetraplegia compared with preference of treatment of 3 other impairments and to determine the effect of subjects’ characteristics on preference of upper-extremity reconstruction. Survey. Two specialized spinal cord injury centers in the Netherlands. A consecutive sample of 47 patients with tetraplegia in stable condition. Not applicable. The quality weight of 5 tetraplegic health states determined with the time trade-off technique and expressed as a single value (the “utility”) on a scale between 0 (worst possible situation) and 1 (best possible situation). The response rate was 92%. The utility of tetraplegia ± standard deviation was .57±.30. The utilities of tetraplegia without impairment in one of the following functions were .69±.33 for sexuality, .69±.33 for standing/walking, .63±.31 for bladder and bowel function, and .65±.32 for upper-extremity function. The differences between these utilities and the utility of tetraplegia were significant ( P