Effect of Early Rehabilitation Program on Attention and Balance for Patients following Craniotomy

Abstract

Background: Attention and balance impairments are common disorders following craniotomy. Aim: Evaluate the effect of early rehabilitation program on attention and balance for patients following craniotomy. Patients and Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was used for a sample of 62 oriented patients following craniotomy for removal of brain tumor with mild impaired attention and balance. Patients were attended to neurosurgery department at Neurological, Psychiatric and Neurosurgery Assiut University Hospital and outpatients clinic. Patients assigned randomly into rehabilitation group (odd number) and control group (double number). An early rehabilitation program was applied to the rehabilitation group (teaching booklet). Patients were followed up for 3 months in neurosurgery department and outpatients clinic. Tools: Patients assessment sheet following craniotomy, mini-mental state examination, Berg balance scale and survey about patients satisfaction. Results: Statistical significant improvements were found among patients in rehabilitation group regarding their attention and balance mean scores than patients in control group (p. value < 0.01). Moreover, patients in rehabilitation group were satisfied with program outcomes. Conclusion: Implementation of early rehabilitation program showed highly statistical significant improvements in attention and balance mean scores among patients of rehabilitation group than control group. Recommendation: Early rehabilitation program should be implemented for all patients following craniotomy after individualized comprehensive evaluation at different hospitals.