Brain injury : [BI]
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Brain injury : [BI] · Oct 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPilot study of electrical stimulation on median nerve in comatose severe brain injured patients: 3-month outcome.
To determine if electrical stimulation (ES) benefits (waking time, 3-month outcomes) treated coma patients. ⋯ These data show an interesting trend, although statistical power was limited in this small pilot study, suggesting the need for a larger trial.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Sep 2001
Patterns of community integration 2-5 years post-discharge from brain injury rehabilitation.
Outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is characterized by a high degree of variability which has often been difficult to capture in traditional outcome studies. The purpose of this study was to describe patterns of community integration 2-5 years after TBI. Participants were 208 patients admitted to a Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit between 1991-1995 in Brisbane, Australia. ⋯ Although 38% of the sample returned to a high level of productive activity and 22% achieved a balanced lifestyle, overall community integration was poor for the remainder. This poorly integrated group had more severe injury characterized by longer periods of acute care and post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) and greater functional disability on discharge. These findings have implications for service delivery prior to and during the process of reintegration after brain injury.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Sep 2001
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following a head injury: does amnesia for the event influence the development of symptoms?
There is controversy as to whether PTSD can develop following a brain injury with a loss of consciousness. However, no studies have specifically examined the influence of the memories that the individuals may or may not have on the development of symptoms. ⋯ Psychological distress was associated with having traumatic or no memories of an index event. Amnesia for the event did not protect against PTSD; however, it does appear to protect against the severity and presence of specific intrusive symptoms.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Aug 2001
ReviewFamily carers and the adult head-injured: a critical review of carers' needs.
To appraise recent literature on the topic of perceived needs of family carers of head-injured adult relatives. MEDLINE (1966-2000), EMBASE PSYCHIATRY (1987-1999), CINAHL (1982-January 2000) and PSYCHLIT (1967-1999) databases were searched. ⋯ The design and variation in methodology of most studies reviewed limits the generalization of reported data. Further research is required to fully identify both common and individual needs of family carers of the head-injured.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Jul 2001
Case ReportsConceptual dilemmas in evaluating individuals with severely impaired consciousness.
States of severely impaired consciousness (SIC) are characterized by cognitive and motor limitations. This case report describes a 45-year-old female with impaired consciousness who began to 'walk'. ⋯ Despite her ability to walk increased distances during and after neurorehabilitation, she was unable to consistently demonstrate responses indicative of higher levels of consciousness. This case illustrates the challenge of rating patients with limited behavioural repertoire using established measures of impaired consciousness.