Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of models employing the classification of
severity of injury, based on either GCS scores or clinical findings using
standardized test scores for Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Psychology
in predicting outcomes associated with paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI).
METHOD: Medical records were reviewed to obtain GCS scores and standardized tests
used in the clinically based classification of severity of injury for 30
individuals who sustained a paediatric TBI and were patients of a brain injury
treatment programme. Interviews were conducted with parents to obtain current
data on social participation, cognitive functioning and environmental factors.
RESULTS: Three variables emerged as significant predictors of outcome: age at
injury, clinical ratings of injury severity and environmental factors.
CONCLUSION: Findings offer preliminary support for the idea that a combination of
factors, including age at injury, clinical expertise and the environment, provide
the best estimate of long-term outcome.

Langue : ANGLAIS