title: Comparison of SMART and WHIM as measurement tools in routine assessment of PDOC patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Royal College of Physicians guidelines on PDOC recommended repeated assessments of patients in PDOC are undertaken by skilled clinicians. The Wessex Head Injury Matrix (WHIM) and the Sensory Modality Assessment and Rehabilitation Technique (SMART) are the most commonly used measures within UK.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use of WHIM and SMART to identify potential changes in PDOC patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve PDOC patients admitted to a post-acute regional neuro-rehabilitation unit were assessed using WHIM and SMART. Eight of 12 patients were diagnosed with a primary hypoxic ischemic brain injury (HIBI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall for the total group there was no significant correlation between patient's highest ranked behaviour and any SMART domain. Initial WHIM total observed behaviour was significantly correlated with SMART tactile domain. Patient's final WHIM and SMART domains were not significantly correlated. Among HIBI subgroup, initial WHIM highest ranked behaviour and WHIM total observed behaviour were significantly correlated with the SMART communication domain. Final WHIM highest ranked behaviour was positively correlated with SMART visual and tactile domains. Final WHIM total observed behaviour was significantly correlated with the SMART visual domain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both measures show sensitivity to change in PDOC patients. Larger long-term follow-up of HIBI patients is highlighted.
authors.affiliation: a Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children , Clinical Psychology , Belfast , UK.
authors.forename: Aisling
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McAleese
authors.affiliation: b Regional Acquired Brain Injury Unit , Musgrave Park Hospital , Belfast , UK.
authors.forename: Colin F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: b Regional Acquired Brain Injury Unit , Musgrave Park Hospital , Belfast , UK.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McEvoy
authors.affiliation: b Regional Acquired Brain Injury Unit , Musgrave Park Hospital , Belfast , UK.
authors.forename: Sheena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caldwell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000070642:Brain Injuries, Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000066530:Neurological Rehabilitation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: PDOC; SMART; Wessex Head Injury Matrix; brain injury