Article

Although a majority of patients following minor traumatic brain
injury recover to their pre-morbid functional level, persistent activity and
participation limitations can occur in the refractory patient. These long-term
consequences of brain injury may only become apparent months to years after the
injury. In order to quantify these long-term sequella, laboratory, clinical and
functional outcome measures may not only identify needed areas of treatment, but
may also assist in determining the impact of the treatment on the individuals
function. The aim of this manuscript is to review the clinical utility
of vestibular laboratory testing and the bedside vestibular examination in
patients following mild traumatic brain injury. In addition, the validity and
inter-observer reliability of functional outcome measures commonly used in
individuals with mTBI will also be reviewed. SUMMARY: Because of the diffuse
pathology seen with mTBI, multiple tests are needed to determine the resultant
impairment and their impact on the patient's activity level and participation
level. Laboratory test and bedside tests of vestibular impairment are reviewed.
Functional outcome measures including the Dynamic Gait Index, the Functional Gait
Assessment, the Balance Error Scoring System, and Dual Task Performance are
reviewed for their appropriateness in quantifying the effect of mTBI at activity
level and participation level of the individual. CONCLUSION: TBI rehabilitation
services are increasingly exemplified by the needs of patients, rather than by
the underlying pathology or diagnosis. Basing treatment decisions and treatment
timing on laboratory, clinical, and functional testing can optimize the
rehabilitation outcome.

Langue : ANGLAIS