This pilot study explores the possibility of cognitive training software Neurotracker (NT), to have potential beneficial effects for Traumatic Brain Injury patients with Sensory Processing Disorder. Five subjects with TBI and SPD trained for 5 weeks/21 sessions with Neurotracker. Pre-post training cognitive tests (WAIS TMTA, TMTB, LNS) and surveys were conducted to measure possible cognitive differences with no statistical significant results. However, significant improvement in Neurotracker scores were found. =2.73, SD = 0.55) and positive changes associated with attention attention span, divided attention, (multiple) object tracking and motion sickness. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernard-de-roosz-28b96b125/
Objectives: Participation is considerably restricted in children and adolescents with acquired brain injury (ABI) as compared to their healthy peers. This systematic review aims to identify which factors are associated with participation in children and adolescents with ABI. Methods: A systematic search in Medline and various other electronic databases from January 2001–November 2014 was performed. All clinical studies describing determinants of participation at least 1 year after the diagnosis of ABI by means of one or more pre-defined instruments in patients up to 18 years of age were included. Extracted data included study characteristics, patient characteristics, participation outcome and determinants of participation (categorized into: health conditions (including characteristics of ABI), body functions and structures, activities, personal factors and environmental factors). The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated based on three quality aspects (selection, information and statistical analysis bias) and scored as low, moderate or high. Results: Eight studies using an explicit participation outcome measure were selected after review, including a total of 1863 patients, with a follow-up ranging from 1 up to 288 months. Three studies included patients with a traumatic or a non-traumatic brain injury (TBI or NTBI) and five studies with only TBI patients. Factors consistently found to be associated with more participation restrictions were: greater severity of ABI, impaired motor, cognitive, behavioural and/or sensory functioning, limited accessibility of the physical environmentand worse family functioning. Fewer participation problems were associated with a supportive/nurturing parenting style, higher household income, acceptance and support in the community and availability of special programmes. The overall methodological quality of the included studies was high in two and moderate in six studies. Conclusion: This systematic review shows that only a few, moderate quality, studies on the determinants of participation after paediatric ABI using recommended explicit measurement instruments are available. Various components of the ICF model: health condition, body functions and structures and environmental factors were consistently found to be associated with participation. More methodologically sound studies, using the recommended explicit outcome measures, a standardized set of potential determinants and longterm follow-up are suggested to increase the knowledge on participation in children and youth with ABI.
Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is in the developed countries the most common cause of death and disability in childhood. Aim: The purpose of this study is to estimate the incidence of TBI for children and young people in an urbanised region of the Netherlands and to describe relevant characteristics of this group. Methods: Patients, aged 1 month - 24 years who presented with traumatic brain injury at the Erasmus University Hospital (including the Sophia Children's Hospital) in 2007 and 2008 were included in a retrospective study. Data were collected by means of diagnosis codes and search terms for TBI in patient records. The incidence of TBI in the different referral areas of the hospital for standard, specialised and intensive patient care was estimated. Results: 472 patients met the inclusion criteria. The severity of the Injury was classified as mild in 342 patients, moderate in 50 patients and severe in 80 patients. The total incidence of traumatic brain injury in the referral area of the Erasmus University Hospital was estimated at 113.9 young people per 100.000. The incidence for mild traumatic brain injury was estimated at 104.4 young people, for moderate 6.1 and for severe 3.4 young people per 100.000. Conclusion: The ratio for mild, moderate and severe traumatic brain injury in children and young people was 33.7e1.8e1.In the mild TBI group almost 17% of the patients reported sequelae. The finding that 42% of them had a normal brain CT scan at admission underwrites the necessity of careful follow up of children and young people with mild TBI.
