Citation

Groff A, Malec JF, Braunling-McMorrow D. J. Neurotrauma 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Learning Services, Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States ; dmcmorrow@learningservices.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/neu.2018.5944

PMID

31210092

Abstract

Establishing the effectiveness of post-hospital residential rehabilitation programs in the treatment of brain injury is a complicated undertaking. Due to the complex and unique needs of each individual, a custom-tailoring of interventions is required. As a result, there is great variability across post-hospital treatments that limits large interventional studies needed for empirical validation. The growing body of literature is optimistic and demonstrates that post-hospital rehabilitation, in a variety of forms, is beneficial. The main criticisms of this work include the absence of randomized-controlled studies (RCTs), lack of clear definition of treatment types/settings, and small sample sizes. To address these criticisms, the current study examines one specific and unique component of post-hospital treatment continuum, residential rehabilitation. Outcomes are compared between different intervention groups occurring within the same residential setting.

RESULTS demonstrate that participants who receive intensive residential rehabilitation (n=256) improved significantly on a measure of functional outcomes. Participants receiving residential supported living only (n=169) generally preserved functional outcomes over time.

FINDINGS suggest that each residential program is effective in achieving its intended outcome. A subsample of participants from the treatment groups were then matched on several variables including time post injury at time of admission and compared. Under these conditions, the treatment effect of intensive residential rehabilitation was strengthened, suggesting that chronicity alone does not account for the variance between the two groups. Key Words: adult brain injury; outcome measures; rehabilitation.

Language: en

Keywords

ADULT BRAIN INJURY; OUTCOME MEASURES; REHABILITATION; TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY