Factors associated with gains in performance during rehabilitation after pediatric brain injury: Growth curve analysis

Tal Krasovsky, Sharon Barak, Tamar Silberg, Tamar Yissar, Amichai Brezner, Jana Landa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Predicting recovery of functional performance within pediatric rehabilitation after brain injury is important for health professionals and families, but information regarding factors associated with change in functional skills (“what the child can do”) and functional independence (“what the child does”) is limited. The aim of the study was to examine change in functional skills and independence over time in children with moderate-severe brain injury during prolonged inpatient rehabilitation. Design: This study used a retrospective cohort design. Longitudinal data from 139 children (age 1.6–20.6 yrs), hospitalized for 115.4 ± 72 days, were examined. Growth curve analysis was used to examine factors associated with change in the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (functional skills and caregiver assistance, ie, functional independence) in mobility and self-care. Typical estimates for change per hospitalization day were obtained. Results: Traumatic brain injury and older age at injury, but not sex, were associated with faster recovery. Length of stay was associated with rate of change in functional skills but not in functional independence, suggesting that improvement in functional independence during rehabilitation may be associated with other factors. Conclusions: Identifying the factors associated with individual profiles of functional improvement can provide valuable information for clinicians and decision-makers to optimize performance after prolonged inpatient rehabilitation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)310-317
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume99
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Hierarchical Linear Model
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • PEDI
  • Recovery
  • Rehabilitation
  • TBI

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