Severe ABI

Lu et al.

(2018)

Norway

N= 121

Population: 121 individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI.

Follow-up: 3mo, 1yr, 5yr post-injury.

Findings: Longitudinally, using the Functional Independence Measure motor and cognitive subscales, patients were classified into 3 motor functional and 4 cognitive trajectories. For the Functional Independence Measure motor scores, 8.2% followed a stable low recovery trajectory, 9.2% demonstrated an elevated good recovery trajectory, and 82.6% demonstrated a stable good recovery trajectory. For the Functional Independence Measure cognitive, 4.1% followed a stable low recovery trajectory, 12.6% demonstrated a delayed moderate recovery trajectory, 28.7% demonstrated an elevated good recovery trajectory, and 54.6% demonstrated a stable good recovery trajectory. Across the trajectory subgroups, statistically significant differences were observed in PTA duration, GCS, CT classification, and hospital length of stay; indicators of increased injury severity were associated with membership in the less favourable recovery trajectory groups.

Ruet et al.

(2018)

France

N= 133

Population: 133 individuals with severe TBI.

Follow-up: 4yr post-injury.

Findings: 38% of participants were employed; 80% of these individuals worked >20 hours per week. Only half of those individuals who were employed at the time of their TBI were still employed 4 years later. Predictors of employment included: preinjury employment, higher initial GCS score, shorter length of ICU stay, and higher GOS-E score at 1-year post-injury. The employment rate of individuals who were students at the time of their injury was low. The most common self-reported difficulties that impacted work included fatigue, slowness, and problems with maintaining concentration.

Odgaard et al.

(2017)

Denmark

N=3134

Population: 3134 patients with severe TBI.

Follow-up: 2yr and 5yr post TBI

Findings: The majority of return to work occurred within the first year post TBI, at 5yr follow-up 70% of patients were receiving public assistance benefits.

Katz et al.

(2009)

USA

N=36

Population: 36 patients with ABI (TBI=22).

Follow-up: 2yr and 4yr.

Findings: Of 16 patients who were assessed at 2yr follow-up, Disability Rating Scale (DRS) scores continued to improve compared to admission in 56% of patients. Between 2yr and 4yr, improvement was seen in 3 of 8 patients. Of 23 patients followed 1 to 4yr, 43% achieved household independence, and 22% returned to work or school.

Kaitaro et al.

(1995)

Finland

N=19

Population: 19 patients with severe TBI.

Follow-up: 5yr.

Findings: None of the participants required institutional care. Sixty-eight percent of patients were living with their families or spouses. Eighty-nine percent of patients were retired despite attempts to work.

Harrick et al.

(1994)

Canada

N=21

Population: 21 individuals with severe TBI.

Follow-up: 3yr.

Findings: At discharge, 67% (versus 34% at admission) were engaged in productive activity. Financially, 15% (versus 5% at admission) were self-supported, 15% (versus 5% at admission) were both self-supported and aided, and 73% (versus 81% at admission) were aided. Moreover, 77% (versus 68% at admission) received informal support, 24% (versus 10% at admission) received partial support, and no one (versus 24% at admission) required institutional support.