Traumatic Brain Injuries - Ann Arbor Rehabilitation Centers, Inc

New To Our Site

The
Gathering Place

Support Groups

Massage Therapy

Brain Injury Rehabilitation: What Works For Whom And When?

BACK

Bajo A, Fleminger S. Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit, Edgware Community Hospital, Burnt Oak Broadway, London HA8 0AD, UK. Ana.Bajo@bhc-tr.nthames.nhs.uk

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: This paper reviewed the available evidence that patient characteristics may determine the type of intervention that works best in brain injury rehabilitation.

REASONING BEHIND LITERATURE SELECTION: A broad search strategy was used to identify papers which enabled conclusions to be drawn about patient characteristics which determined rehabilitation effectiveness. Six main areas were considered: severity of the brain injury, presenting problem, complicating factors, rehabilitation readiness, demographic, and socio-geographic variables.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF LITERATURE: A levels of evidence analysis was used to evaluate the studies.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Very few studies on rehabilitation effectiveness were found which attempted to define the patient characteristics which predict a good response to rehabilitation. The best evidence relates to injury severity; more intense programmes may be unnecessary for those with less severe injuries. There is some evidence that dysexecutive problems, i.e. difficulties with organization and control of behaviour and emotion, interfere with rehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONS: Patient characteristics may well determine individual benefits from particular rehabilitation programmes. However, few studies have attempted to provide evidence about this. As health provision focuses on needs-led services, it becomes paramount to investigate effectiveness from the client's perspective.

Web Site Links Disclaimer: At certain places in this site, links to other web sites can be accessed. Links to other Internet sites are provided as a convenience only. These sites contain information created, published, and maintained by organizations independent of AARC,Inc..
We do not endorse, approve, certify or control these web sites or the opinions, information, products or services contained therein, and do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy or timeliness of information located therein, or at any link contained in a linked site. Internet locations change frequently, so many of the links provided on this web site may no longer access the external web sites listed herein.
No Medical Advice: The information posted here is not intended to be and should not be considered medical advice, as it is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient and his or her existing healthcare provider. It is not a substitute for the professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by your physician, other qualified health provider or any information included by the manufacturer with or on any product. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on or through the AARC web site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDER OF YOUR OWN CHOICE AND CAREFULLY READ ALL PACKAGING AND OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF ANY MEDICAL PRODUCTS OR DEVICES BEFORE USING THEM.