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.