Table 2 Summary of functional outcome tools used in included studies.
Outcome | Scales | Summary of tool |
|---|---|---|
Locomotor | Assesses hindlimb movement, paw placement, weight bearing, trunk stability, tail position and limb coordination. Scored from 0 to 21; 0 is no hindlimb movement, 21 is normal function. | |
Locomotor | Assesses the severity of SCI-induced paralysis based on hindlimb movement. Scored from 0 to 9. | |
Locomotor | Rodent rotarod [39] | Assesses vestibulomotor function using an accelerating rotarod and measuring latency time for mice to fall. |
Locomotor | Spontaneous open field locomotor activity [39] | Assesses locomotor activity using a computerised video capture system. |
Locomotor | Assesses motor function deficits in the hind limbs using a 14-point score. 0 is normal motor function, 14 indicates no movement and dragging of hind limbs. | |
Locomotor | Beam-walking test [42] | Assesses fine-motor behaviour using an elevated narrow beam. Scored from 0 (rat unable to traverse the beam) to 6 (rat traversed beam normally). |
Locomotor | CatWalk [42] | Assesses locomotor gait dynamics using the catWalk gait analysis system (version 8.1; Noldus, Wageningen, The Nederlands). |
Locomotor | Tarlov scoring system [44] | Assess neurological function on a scale of 0 (no lower extremity function) to 4 (normal motor function). |
Pain | Assess sensitivity to innocuous mechanical stimulation using von Frey filaments. The smallest filament that elicits a response is recorded. | |
Pain | Assesses sensitivity to thermal stimulation (hot or cold). Withdrawal latency time is measured. | |
Anxiety | Elevated plus maze test [39] | Assesses anxiolysis using an elevated platform with two open arms and two closed arms. Number of open arm and close arm entries are recorded. |
