Positive behavioural disturbances in the rehabilitation phase after severe traumatic brain injury: an historic cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) with positive behavioural disturbances (PBD) in an historic cohort of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to evaluate the use and effects of neuroleptic drugs in this cohort.


METHODS
Historic cohort study.


METHODS
The medical files of 60 patients with severe TBI, selected for inpatient rehabilitation during a period of 5.5 years, were independently examined for the presence of PTA and PBD at admission in the rehabilitation centre as well as for the concomitant use of neuroleptic drugs. All TBI patients with PBD at admission were subjected to special nursing measures consisting of a structured and safe environment, a minimum number of caregivers and provision of simple and consistent feedback. As a basic policy, the use of neuroleptic medication was minimized or stopped.


RESULTS
Of the 28 patients suffering from PTA at admission, 16 demonstrated PBD (positive predictive value 0.57 (95% CI 0.45-0.70)). In contrast, all the 32 patients without PTA but one did not show PBD (negative predictive value 0.97 (95% CI 0.93-1.00)). Seven of the 17 patients with PBD (41%) had been prescribed neuroleptic medication, of whom five patients (81%) experienced undesired side effects. Because of the special nursing measures, these drugs could be stopped or substituted by non-neuroleptic behaviour-modifying drugs in all patients within 3 weeks, without aggravation of their PBD.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that impaired attention and memory may play a critical role in the development of PBD in patients with severe TBI. From this perspective, maximum effort must be made to improve TBI patients' level of attention, memory and orientation instead of using mechanical or chemical restraints.
Harmsen
M
M
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, St. Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Geurts
A C H
AC
Fasotti
L
L
Bevaart
B J W
BJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000647:Amnesia / Q000209:etiology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001288:Attention; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents