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Subject: search.filters.subject.Brain -- Wounds and injuries

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    Outcome measures in brain injury rehabilitation : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2004) Robinson, Christina Mary
    Brain injury rehabilitation services require competent measures of outcome to monitor the progress made by individuals in their care. The FIM + FAM is the measure most widely used for this purpose. However, research suggests that this measure contains a number of limitations and does not adequately assess the activity limitations and participation restrictions experienced by individuals who have suffered brain injuries. The current study examined five outcome measures (BICRO-39, MPAI-4, R-CHART, CIQ, and DRS) for their suitability as possible replacement measures at Cavit ABI in Wellington and Auckland. Ten participants with brain injuries (eight males, two females; seven with TBI, three with injuries due to stroke) were administered six different outcome measures by therapists at Cavit ABI centres in Wellington and Auckland on admission and again at six weeks into the rehabilitation programme. Outcome measures were examined in relation to a set of specified criteria, and feedback regarding the performance of each outcome measure was collected from each therapist using a staff questionnaire. The results of the study show that there does not seem to be one adequate outcome measure currently available for use within post-acute brain injury rehabilitation settings Although the FIM + FAM was found to contain a number of strengths particularly in assessing physical independence, the MPAI-4 was found to be more useful in identifying goals related to activity limitations and participation restrictions, which was the key area of focus.
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    Provision of information to patients and relatives after traumatic brain injury : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2001) Moore, Catherine Ann
    It is estimated that Traumatic Brain Injury' (TBI) affects over 9000 people in New Zealand every year. This study aimed to describe the information and resources available to patients and their families after a TBI in New Zealand. A survey was sent to a sample of General Practitioners and hospital Emergency Departments asking about what information and other resources they had available for patients. Results showed that, of those who responded, all hospitals but less than half the General Practitioners had a patient information sheet on TBI. The quality of content and appearance of the leaflets was highly variable, but generally the presentation of the hospital information sheets was better. Individuals who had recently sustained a TBI and their relatives were also given a questionnaire about the information they received while in hospital and how satisfied they felt with it. Due to small numbers of respondents, no generalisations could be made from this part of the study.
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    Incidence and neuropsychological consequences of mild traumatic brain injury in older adults : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2003) Newton, Petina Marie
    This study examined the epidemiology and neuropsychological effects of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) in older adults (with a mean age of 83). The study was conducted in two parts. Part one involved the administration of a questionnaire to 264 residents from nursing homes and retirement villages. Results indicated that 41.9% of nursing home and 26.5% of retirement village residents reported they had sustained a fall during the past year. Of these falls, 2.3% met criteria for a TBI. Of the retirement village participants, 4.1% indicated they had sustained a head injury during the past five years which met the criteria for a MTBI, equating to an annual incidence rate of 816 per 100,000. Analysis of incidence rate by age revealed TBIs increased with age; older adults aged 84 and under were less likely to have sustained a TB1 (2.2%) than those aged 85 and over (4%). Of those who had sustained a TBI, 92.5% were of mild severity, and, of these between 10.8% and 16% had not sought any medical attention. Participants admitted to hospital for orthopaedic injuries were less likely to be diagnosed with a MTBI (18.1%) than those with non-orthopaedic injuries (40%). Part two involved the administration of measures of attention, memory and executive functioning to 21 MTBI participants. Compared with age matched controls, the MTBI group performed significantly lower on measures of attention. Analysis of the MTBI group according to severity of non-brain injury/s indicated significant differences on measures of memory (visual) and information processing speed. Post hoc analysis within the MTBI group according to fall frequency revealed significant differences on measures of information processing speed, attention and memory (verbal and visual). Further analysis revealed only fall frequency, age, gender and an interaction effect between fall frequency and age predicted neuropsychological performance. The reported findings suggest that the variables of fall frequency and age be taken into consideration when evaluating outcome post MTBI in older old adults.
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    Perception of support provided for people with traumatic brain injury in relation to caregiver burden : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2003) Fraser, Julie Rebecca
    This study explores caregiver perceptions of social supports provided for people with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in relation to caregiver burden. Twenty-four people acting as primary caregivers of a person with TBI completed measures of social support and caregiver distress (Head Injury Behaviour Scale and a social support questionnaire developed specifically for this study). The domains assessed included the nature and number of treatment services utilized by the TBI person and caregivers' perceptions of these, the problems exhibited by the TBI person, and the distress experienced by the caregiver. Significant correlations were found between caregiver distress and the following variables: number of problems exhibited by the TBI person, change in caregiver employment status, helpfulness of treatment services for TBI person, and overall caregiver satisfaction. Regression analyses revealed that the number of problems exhibited by the TBI person and lack of helpfulness of treatment services were significant predictors of caregiver distress. These correlations and regressions were interpreted with respect to the buffering hypothesis and the Stress Appraisal Coping model (SAC). It was concluded that caregiver perception of social support rather than social support per se, is associated with caregiver distress, and that caregiver perception can buffer or attenuate caregiver distress. Methodological considerations and directions for future research are discussed.