Abstract
Objective: To determine the effectiveness of task specific training in improving functional independence after spinal cord injury.
Methodology: This single group pre test post test interventional study was conducted in Chambeli Rehabilitation Center, Rawalpindi and Neurocounsel, Islamabad, Pakistan from September 2015 to February 2017 and included 30 patients with complete or incomplete injury, both with paraplegia and tetraplegia using non probability purposive sampling. All patients with any type of tumor causing spinal cord injury, stroke patients, patients with Gullian Barre syndrome, peripheral neuropathies, myopathies were excluded from the study. Data were collected using Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) and Clinical Outcome Variable (COV) scale at baseline and after 6 weeks. All patients were provided with task specific training plus electrical muscle stimulation for 6 weeks. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.
Results: Significant improvements were noted in SCIM, both in its total score and its subscales (P<0.001). Patients also reported marked improvements on COV scale. All domains of self care, respiratory and sphincter management and in and out door mobility improved
Conclusion: Task specific training was an effective technique for improving functional outcomes in spinal cord injury giving promising results to improve activities of daily living.

Key words: SCI, Task specific training, functional outcomes, SCIM, COV scale