Brain injury : [BI]
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Brain injury : [BI] · Jul 1999
ReviewCognitive and psychosocial outcome following moderate or severe traumatic brain injury.
The outcome of 96 consecutive adult patients with moderate to severe head injury was sequentially measured at 6, 12 and 24 months post-injury. In addition to global outcome using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and a battery of neuropsychological tests of cognitive function, the Head Injury Symptom Checklist (HISC) and Relative's Questionnaire (RQ) were used. Although poorer GOS scores and severe cognitive impairments were typically associated with greater severity of initial injury, relatives reported similar functional problems irrespective of injury severity. This illustrates the legacy of moderate head injury in influencing many aspects of everyday life, supporting the argument that the needs of this group should not be overlooked.
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Brain injury : [BI] · May 1995
ReviewClassification of the spectrum of mild traumatic brain injury.
Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a very common injury, resulting in immediate and possible long-term symptoms. The accurate and consistent definition of mild TBI is important in the initial and rehabilitation management of the injury, and in research concerning mild TBI. ⋯ Within the spectrum of injury severity in mild TBI there are several classification systems, primarily used in management of acute mild TBI, that breakdown mild TBI into grades of injury severity. These are based upon the presence or absence of mental status changes, amnesia, loss of consciousness, anatomical lesion or neurological deficit.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Jan 1995
ReviewPsychosocial and emotional sequelae of individuals with traumatic brain injury: a literature review and recommendations.
The psychosocial problems of decreased social contact, depression, and loneliness that occur for many with traumatic brain injury (TBI) create a major challenge for enhancing efforts at community re-entry. Despite dramatic physical progress within the first six months after injury, these psychosocial problems remain a persistent long-term problem for the majority of individuals with severe TBI. Researchers have consistently suggested that the psychosocial problems associated with TBI may actually be the major challenge facing rehabilitation. ⋯ The treating physiatrist cannot be expected to provide the insight and frequency of psychological services that may be necessary for many of these patients. (2) Since the literature seems to suggest that the presence of one psychosocial deficit, e.g., anxiety, will often be followed by other similar types of problems, e.g. depression, the treatment team needs to be sensitive to how rapidly these problems can cascade into a very dangerous situation. (3) Perhaps the most compelling recommendation we can make is for community rehabilitation specialists to focus significantly more energies and resources upon the psychological health of clients with TBI. Staff need to be trained to detect these signals that clients with TBI are often sending. It is apparent that psychosocial factors contribute to a rising obstacle level to community adjustment.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Oct 1991
ReviewCritical analysis of the concept of sensory stimulation for patients in vegetative states.
The practice of coma arousal and sensory stimulation is becoming the focus of heated debate. There is no theory on which patients may benefit, at what time in their recovery, or how the 'arousal' or 'stimulation' procedures should be applied. This paper considers some of the information processing mechanisms that are important mediators of arousal and awareness, pointing to some of the weaknesses in current practices and suggesting alternative approaches. Recommendations for a conceptual model of sensory stimulation are given that might provide a more scientific perspective to those who use such methods.