title: Functional outcomes of community-based brain injury rehabilitation clients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Community-based rehabilitation can help to maximize function following acquired brain injury (ABI); however, data on treatment outcome is limited in quantity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe and evaluate client outcomes of an outpatient programme for adults with moderate-to-severe traumatic and non-traumatic ABI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two phase design involving retrospective and longitudinal study of programme completers with ABI (n = 47). Changes in functioning were measured with the Mayo-Portland Inventory (MPAI-4), administered pre- and immediately post-rehabilitation and at 3 years follow-up. Self-ratings were supplemented with MPAI-4 data from significant others (n = 32) and staff (n = 32).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Injured individuals and informants reported improved physical and psychosocial functioning immediately following the completion of community rehabilitation, with medium-to-large and significant treatment gains noted on the MPAI-4 ability, adjustment and participation sub-scales (Cohen's d range = 0.31-1.10). A deterioration in individuals' adjustment was further reported at follow-up, although this was based on limited data. Issues with longer-term rehabilitation service provision were additionally noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data support the need for continuity of care, including ongoing emotional support, to cater to the complex and dynamic needs of the ABI population. However, these results need to be considered in the context of a small sample size and quasi-experimental design.
authors.affiliation: a School of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide , Adelaide , South Australia , Australia and.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dorstyn
authors.forename: Con
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Polychronis
authors.forename: Linley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Denson
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011594:Psychometrics; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Brain injury; neurorehabilitation; outcome assessment; rehabilitation