Sitting balance in rehabilitation is a good predictor of the amount of assistance that will be required after discharge

Past Studies

Past Studies: As many as 65% of people with TBI have balance problems. Sitting balance, (i.e. the ability to sit upright without support), has been shown to be an important measure of success in rehabilitation for people who had strokes. While balance is critical to performing many self-care activities, no studies had been done on balance and TBI recovery.

This Study

This Study: Included 226 people with traumatic brain injury, ranging in age from 16-85 and whose injuries ranged from mild to severe. Each person’s difficulty in maintaining balance, both standing and sitting, was measured upon entry to the rehabilitation program. In addition, each was assessed using the Functional Independence Measure on entry and exit from the program. This study found that age and the ability to maintain balance on admission to the rehabilitation program were the most powerful predictors of whether someone would need assistance to take care of oneself after discharge. Further, the more difficulty the individual experienced in maintaining balance when entering the program, the more assistance he or she required after leaving.

Who May Be Affected By This Study

People with brain injuries have balance problems.

Caveats

The researchers were not able to find out if any of the people with brain injuries participating in this study had balance problems before their injuries. The researchers did not study the relationship between the type of brain injury and the need for assistance after discharge. Further studies should look at other causes of balance disturbances to identify the affect they might have post TBI.

Bottom Line

Good sitting balance upon entry to rehabilitation is an indicator that a person will require less or no assistance with self-care after discharge.

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