Intensive rehabilitation after subacute spinal cord injury: more is not always better

Patients who have acute spinal cord injury face substantial neurological deficits and impairments in activities of daily living, yet they exhibit remarkable motivation to reclaim lost functions. Dedicated spinal cord injury centres allocate rehabilitation resources on the basis of treatment goals, medical stability, and the availability of necessary resources, resulting in structured schedules that encompass mobilisation, wheelchair skills training, and a multitude of targeted therapies aimed at improving sensorimotor function in both the upper and lower extremities. Guidelines about rehabilitation interventions in spinal cord injury specify the types of intervention, but leave dosing undefined. 1,2