Early self-awareness following traumatic brain injury: comparison of brain injury and orthopedic inpatients using the Functional Self-Assessment Scale (FSAS).
OBJECTIVE
To examine the Functional Self-Assessment Scale (FSAS) in hospitalized orthopedic patients with no brain dysfunction, and compare results to prior self-awareness data collected with brain injury patients.


METHODS
Comparison of patient and staff ratings on FSAS using paired sample t tests.


METHODS
Thirty-one adult volunteers hospitalized on National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) orthopedic treatment unit.


METHODS
FSAS was used to compare patient and staff ratings of patient performance on tasks relevant for inpatient rehabilitation. Subjects were screened to rule out brain impairment.


RESULTS
Statistically significant but very small differences were found between orthopedic patients and therapist ratings using the FSAS. However, brain injury patients' ratings show a significantly larger discrepancy between self-therapist ratings than do orthopedic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Impaired self-awareness is related to brain injury rather than nonspecific factors in rehabilitation inpatients.
Garmoe
William
W
Psychology Service, National Rehabilitation Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
Newman
Anne C
AC
O'Connell
Michael
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001364:Awareness; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009949:Orientation; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013997:Time Factors