A Web-Based Videoconferencing Approach to Training Caregivers in Rural Areas to Compensate for Problems Related to Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Introduction. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is affected by multiple factors. Patient’s education, manifesting symptoms and surgical management play a significant role on discharge outcome. The literature of same from developing country is limited. The present pilot study aims to describe patient characteristics, presenting symptom and management aspects of TBI patients from a tertiary hospital. Methods. The present study is a prospective study, where TBI patients were selected and data of injury was entered on standard proforma on electronic data base. The study was approved by institute ethical board. The data was analyzed using Stats Direct version 3.0.150 software. Results. Three hundred and thirty three patients were evaluated. Eighty percent of patients were from rural areas. About 75% of patients were illiterates and married. Patient employment was significant with discharge outcome. All the patients manifested with symptoms loss of consciousness (LOC) was higher (73%) followed by vomiting (44%). LOC and oral bleed was significant with outcome. Associated injuries was higher in extremities (22.5%) followed by chest (4.4%). About 15% of patients require intracranial surgery that was significant with discharge outcome. Conclusion. The present pilot study finding is similar to available literature data and adds knowledge to TBI data of a developing country like India.

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Clinical and Affective Correlates of Cognitive Functioning in Complicated Mild and Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Belonging to Rural Areas

Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1715083 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Akanksha Chaurasiya ◽

Jay Kumar Ranjan ◽

Nityanand Pandey ◽

Hari Shanker Asthana

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Divided Attention ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Attention And Memory ◽

Clinical Factors ◽

Related Factors ◽

Affective Symptoms ◽

Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstarct Background/Objective Mild and moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a neglected field especially with reference to its association with cognitive, behavioral, and emotional sequelae. The present study aimed to investigate the association of affective symptoms and clinical factors with neurocognitive functioning in complicated mild and moderate TBI patients. Materials and Methods The sample comprised 39 complicated mild and moderate TBI patients with age range of 18 to 59 years. The study was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. The patients were assessed with the neurocognitive tests, Rivermead Post Concussion Symptom Questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Statistical Analysis Partial correlations and zero order correlations were used to test the relationships between variables. Results The injury-related factors, namely level of consciousness and Glasgow Coma Scale were found to be associated with divided attention and memory dysfunction (p < 0.05), respectively. Anxiety was found to be associated with impairment on all domains of neurocognitive function (p < 0.05) except divided attention. Depressive symptoms were found to be correlated with all the neurocognitive functions (p < 0.05) except focused and divided attention, whereas head injury symptoms correlated with impairment on focused and divided attention (p < 0.05). Conclusion Present study highlights the need to acknowledge affective symptoms along with clinical factors in the planning of the rehabilitation programs for such patients in rural scenario.

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PP103 Characteristics Of Systems Applied To Language Rehabilitation

International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care ◽

10.1017/s0266462317002665 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. 120-121

Author(s):

José Núñez ◽

Ronald Rivas ◽

Pedro Galvan ◽

Benicio Grossling

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Communication System ◽

Communication Systems ◽

Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽

Low Cost ◽

Augmentative Communication ◽

Motor Deficit ◽

Attention And Memory

INTRODUCTION:In Paraguay the main cause of Traumatic Brain Injury are the accidents in ground transportation. According to data from the Basic Health Indicators 2013 of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, the regions with the highest rate of accidents in ground transportation are located in the rural zone of the country. Linguistic or communication disorder, attention and memory are the first functions that must be rehabilitated. Is essential to improve the patient's language skills to intervene the other cognitive functions. The objective of this study is to determine if free augmentative communication systems have the characteristics necessary for the cognitive rehabilitation of the language to provide a low cost solution for Traumatic Brain Injury patients in rural areas of the country.METHODS:A list of seven characteristics that contributed to verbal comprehension and expression, reading and writing, logical-verbal reasoning and numeration and calculation were compiled and compared to the Gazespeaker, which is a free augmentative communication system.RESULTS:The Gazespeaker meets the seven characteristics required for language rehabilitation.CONCLUSIONS:For patients with Traumatic Brain Injury are required low cost tools and ease-to-use like the Gazespeaker. It is a good augmentative communication system which satisfies all the characteristics required for a good language rehabilitation. In addition, this free software allows the use of an eye tracking device that can be applied to patients with Traumatic Brain Injury and severe motor deficit.

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