A critical review of the literature on early rehabilitation of patients with post-traumatic amnesia in acute care.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To identify the effect of early rehabilitation of patients with post-traumatic amnesia in patients with traumatic brain injury, to review and critically assess evidence related to the timing of intervention and to identify the effect on outcome of a specific neurological rehabilitation in acute care.

BACKGROUND

Up to 70% of patients with traumatic brain injury will experience post-traumatic amnesia. Although duration of post-traumatic amnesia is correlated negatively with outcome for patients with traumatic brain injury, there is limited evidence relating to what influence timing and effect may have on enhancing early rehabilitation patient outcomes.

DESIGN

A critical literature review.

METHODS

Searches for systematic reviews were undertaken in Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane, PSYC INFO and Neurotraume databases. The efficacy of intervention and timing was classified based on a hierarchy of study designs for questions about health care interventions based on soundness of design.

RESULTS

Six reviews and 11 original studies were included and comprised the review. Many studies used weak designs and small sample size, thus limiting their ability to control confusing variables and outcomes. Few studies included papers with the information about timing and effect of early post-traumatic amnesia intervention. Only one study showed an effect of a reality orientation programme in acute care. Although there was no significant detail reported on the possibility of reducing the post-traumatic amnesia period, the study showed clinical relevance.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the limited evidence of the effect of early rehabilitation of patients with post-traumatic amnesia. Future research should be conducted to identify the effectiveness of early intervention.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Although nurses are treating patients with post-traumatic amnesia without systematic assessment, the limited evidence available does little to direct nurses as to the best approach to start early rehabilitation of post-traumatic amnesia to promote good outcomes.