title: The therapeutic challenges of dual diagnosis: TBI/SCI.
abstract: Rehabilitation centres provide therapeutic intervention to both patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI). Patients with a dual diagnosis of TBI and SCI present a challenge to the rehabilitation professional. Previous studies indicate an incidence of concomitant TBI and SCI to be between 24-59%. Many research articles discuss how a diagnosis of TBI is often missed during the medical examination of a person with a suspected SCI. This article will focus on the implications of dual diagnosis encountered during the rehabilitation process. A case study is used to highlight the challenges presented by the cognitive impairments of a TBI in combination with the motoric deficits of SCI. Management strategies utilised by the rehabilitation team are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, North Hospital, 1st Floor, 13th Street, PO Box, 960661, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0661, USA. jsommer@mail2.vcu.edu
authors.forename: Jacqueline L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: Patti M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Witkiewicz
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D059408:Pain Management; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation