Predicting return to work after brain injury using occupational therapy assessments.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of occupational therapy assessments used in an outreach rehabilitation programme to predict return to work after brain injury. The assessments represent the ICIDH-2 levels of body function and activity.


METHODS
Fifty-six persons in a late phase after brain injury who had been admitted to the rehabilitation programme during 2 years were followed up according to work status. The follow up was made at a minimum of 2 years after injury. Demographic data and scores from the occupational therapy assessments were compared for the two groups who were back to work or studies (BTW) and not back to work or studies (NBTW).


RESULTS
Assessments of memory, visual perception and apraxia separated between the two groups BTW and NBTW. Logistic regression showed that memory score in combination with data on PADL made up the best predictive model. In a subgroup with 21 persons where data on IADL were added to memory and PADL the predictive value was even stronger.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study we found that occupational therapy assessments were valuable in predicting failure to return to work or studies after brain injury.
Johansson
U
U
Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Occupational Therapy, Umeå University, Sweden. ulla.johansson@lg.se
Bernspång
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation