Self-reported outcomes and patterns of service engagement after an acquired brain injury: a long-term follow-up study
Deirdre M Twomey1, Niamh Allen2, Maria L F Agan3
1School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Primary Objective:
To describe the clinical characteristics, self-reported outcomes in domains relating to activities of daily living and patterns of service engagement in the survivors of a moderate-to-severe acquired brain injury over seven years.
Research Design:
A longitudinal research design was used.
Methods And Procedures:
Thirty-two individuals who sustained a moderate-to-severe acquired brain injury completed a Sociodemographic and Support Questionnaire at one (t1) and seven years (t2) after completing a publicly funded inpatient neurorehabilitation program.
Main Outcomes And Results:
There were minimal changes in independent living, mobility, ability to maintain key relationships and in return to work in the interval between t1 and t2. Sixty-nine percent of participants engaged with two or more allied health professional services and 75% engaged with support services in the community over the seven years.
Conclusions:
There were minimal additional gains in outcomes relating to activities of daily-living and there was a high level of service need in the first decade postinjury. Young and middle-aged individuals who sustain an ABI may continue to live in the community for decades with some level of disability and may require ongoing access to services.
