Short-term durability and improvement of function in traumatic brain injury: a pilot study using the Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) classification levels
Hm. Dumas et al., Short-term durability and improvement of function in traumatic brain injury: a pilot study using the Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) classification levels, BRAIN INJUR, 15(10), 2001, pp. 891-902
Primary objective: To describe the short-term durability and improvement of
functional outcomes for children and adolescents with traumatic brain inju
ry (TBI) up to 6 months after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation.
Research design: Retrospective, descriptive.
Methods and procedures: Twenty-five (28.1%) of 89 children discharged from
inpatient rehabilitation were available for outpatient follow-up within 6 m
onths. The Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) functional
skill classification levels in the domains of self-care, mobility, and soci
al function, recorded at discharge and follow-up, were examined using the W
ilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test (two-tailed).
Main outcomes and results: Most (64-80%) of the children sustained the outc
ome level achieved at hospital discharge in one or more of the three domain
s. Significant differences (p<0.05) from discharge to follow-up were detect
ed in mobility and social function levels. Differences between children wit
h and without follow-up were non-significant in all but one variable (socia
l function level at hospital discharge).
Conclusions : The results of this study suggest that children after TBI sus
tain outcomes achieved during inpatient rehabilitation and make significant
gains in mobility and social function skills within 6 months of returning
home. More research is needed to predict those children who will continue t
o recover and to identify factors that facilitate recovery in the community
setting.