Cognitive and functional outcomes of terror victims who suffered from traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the outcomes of terror victims suffered from traumatic brain injury (TBI).


METHODS
Retrospective chart review of 17 terror and 39 non-terror TBI patients treated in a rehabilitation department during the same period.


METHODS
Variables include demographic data, Injury Severity Scale (ISS), length of stay (LOS) and imaging results. ADL was measured using the Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), cognitive and memory functions were measured using the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) battery and the Rivermead Battery Memory Test (RBMT), respectively.


RESULTS
Terror TBI patients were significantly younger, had higher ISS score and higher rates of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), brain surgery and penetrating brain injuries than the non-terror TBI group. There was no difference in mean LOS, mean FIM values, mean FIM gain and mean cognitive and memory improvement between groups. Terror victims suffered from a higher percentage of post-traumatic epilepsy (35% vs. 10%, p=0.05), whereas the rate of PTSD and the rate of return to previous occupation were similar between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Although TBI terror victims had more severe injury, they gained most of ADL functions and their rehabilitation outcomes were similar to non-terror TBI patients. These favourable results were achieved due to a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to terror victims and also by national support which allowed an adequate period of treatment and sufficient resources as needed.
Schwartz
Isabella
I
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Tuchner
Maya
M
Tsenter
Jeanna
J
Shochina
Mara
M
Shoshan
Yigal
Y
Katz-Leurer
Michal
M
Meiner
Zeev
Z
D000328:Adult; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007557:Israel; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D023481:Terrorism / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome