Short-term durability and improvement of function in traumatic brain injury: a pilot study using the Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) classification levels.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

To describe the short-term durability and improvement of functional outcomes for children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury (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 months. The Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) functional skill classification levels in the domains of self-care, mobility, and social function, recorded at discharge and follow-up, were examined using the Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test (two-tailed).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Most (64-80%) of the children sustained the outcome level achieved at hospital discharge in one or more of the three domains. Significant differences (p < 0.05) from discharge to follow-up were detected in mobility and social function levels. Differences between children with and without follow-up were non-significant in all but one variable (social function level at hospital discharge).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that children after TBI sustain 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 to recover and to identify factors that facilitate recovery in the community setting.