The quality of life of persons with TBI in the process of a Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundThe aim of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the phased rehabilitation program in patients after traumatic brain injury, one developed by the authors and controlled by the strategic plan, pertaining to their quality of life compared to patients treated according to a standard, phased rehabilitation program.Material/MethodsThe study included 40 patients of post traumatic brain injury treated at the Rehabilitation Clinic of the L. Rydygier Academy of Medical Sciences in Bydgoszcz and the Department of Medical Rehabilitation of the Cracow Rehabilitation Centre. An experimental group included 20 patients rehabilitated by a strategic approach and a control group consisted of 20 patients treated before the introduction of this approach. In assessing the effectiveness of rehabilitation, a structured interview was used with clinical observation and the Battery of Quality of Life Assessment. The study was conducted twice: before and after eight weeks of rehabilitation.ResultsThe quality of life of people after brain injury is affected by self-service difficulties, difficulties in meeting the physiological needs and loss of psychophysical comfort, decreased mobility, impaired cognitive functions and executive and social functions. There is no consistency between the stated (subjective) level of quality of life of the patient, and the depth of objectively measured disability resulting from the injury sustained.ConclusionsA rehabilitation program controlled by a strategic plan, in collaboration with the patient treated subjectively is more effective in improving the quality of life, since the cooperating patient is more motivated to carry out individually designed goals. A rehabilitation program based on a strategic plan is worthy of recommendation for the treatment and improvement of patients after cranio-cerebral trauma.

Factors determining the use of social support services among elderly people living in a city environment in Poland

“…The process of ageing populations, in Poland along with other European countries, brings about serious issues for social policy makers (Murray & Lopez 1996, Fry 2001, McCann Mortimer et al 2008, Van Solinge & Henkens 2009, Pa z chalska et al 2012, Tigani et al 2012, Błachnio & Buli nski 2013. The problem of using social support services by elderly people is highly important due to the increasing percentage of elderly people in the population.…”

Malay translation and validation of the quality of life after brain injury (QOLIBRI) questionnaire for individuals with traumatic brain injury

“…5 Therefore, QOL can measure the negative impacts of the disease on the patients and the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program and can be used as a reference point in life when making a difficult decision. 6 However, generic instruments that measure QOL may not capture the particular problems typically experienced by those with a specific condition, such as TBI. By contrast, disease-specific health-related QOL (HRQOL) instruments are targeted to a specific health condition and should only contain relevant items to a specific disease; these questionnaires can thus be particularly relevant in clinical settings.…”