The aim of this literature review was to examine occupational therapy input for children with acquired brain injury (ABI). Although 3,462 citations were identified by the literature search, only 10 articles met the criteria and were relevant to the review. The studies found that children with ABI had continuing difficulties, post-injury and postdischarge, with motor skills, self-care skills, cognition and behaviour. However, substantial numbers of children with continuing problems did not access therapy, particularly in the year postdischarge.
Occupational therapy is often part of inpatient paediatric rehabilitation, but there is a lack of research investigating the effectiveness of therapy. The review notes the dearth of research and literature in this field and suggests that further research is needed to underpin practice.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BoudreauP (1985) Head Injury in the adolescent years. Occupational Therapy in Health Care, 2 (3), 71–78.
2.
British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine (1998) Rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury. London: BSRM.
3.
ChenCCHeinemannAWBodeRKGrangerCVMallinsonT (2004) Impact of paediatric rehabilitation services on children's functional outcomes. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58 (1), 44–53.
4.
CoetzerBRVaughanFLRobertsCBRafalR (2003) The development of a holistic, community-based neurorehabilitation service in a rural area. Journal of Cognitive Rehabilitation, 21 (1), 4–8.
5.
CosterWJHaleySBaryzaMJ (1994) Functional performance of young children after traumatic brain injury: a 6-month follow-up study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 48 (3), 211–18.
6.
CroninAF (2001) Traumatic brain injury in children: issues in community function. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55 (4), 377–84.
7.
Department of Health (2004) National service framework for children, young people and maternity services. London: DH.
8.
DiScalaCOsbergJSSavageRC (1997) Children hospitalised for traumatic brain injury: transition to postacute care. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 12 (2), 1–10.
9.
DondersJStromD (2000) Neurobehavioural recovery after paediatric head trauma: injury, pre-injury and post-injury issues. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 15 (2), 792–803.
10.
DumasHMHaleySMLudlowLHRabinJP (2002) Functional recovery in paediatric traumatic brain injury during inpatient rehabilitation. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 81 (9), 661–69.
11.
FarmerJEClippardDSLuehr-WiemannYWrightEOwingsS (1996) Assessing children with traumatic brain injury during rehabilitation: promoting school and community reentry. Journal of Learning Disability, 29 (5), 532–48.
12.
GreenspanAIMacKenzieEJ (1994) Functional outcome after paediatric head injury. Pediatrics, 94 (4), 425–32.
13.
GreenspanAIMacKenzieEJ (2000) Use and need for post-acute services following paediatric head injury. Brain Injury, 14 (5), 417–29.
14.
HaleySMCosterWJLudlowLHHaltiwangerJTAndrellosPJ (1992) Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory: development, standardisation, and administration manual, Version 1.0. Boston, MA: Trustees of Boston University, Health and Disability Research Institute.
15.
HawleyC (2003) Reported problems and their resolution following mild, moderate and severe traumatic brain injury amongst children and adolescents in the UK. Brain Injury, 17 (2), 105–29.
16.
HawleyCWardABMagnayARLongJ (2002) Children's brain injury: a postal follow-up of 525 children from one health region in the UK. Brain Injury, 16 (11), 969–85.
17.
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (2004) Commissioning tertiary and specialised services for children and young people. London: RCPCH.
18.
SakzewskiLZivianiJ (1996) Factors affecting length of hospital stay for children with acquired brain injuries: a review of the literature. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 43 (3–4), 113–24.
19.
SwaineBRPlessIBFriedmanDSMontesJL (2000) Effectiveness of a head injury programme for children: a preliminary investigation. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 79 (5), 412–20.
20.
TomlinPClarkeMRobinsonGRoachJ (2002) Rehabilitation in severe head injury in children: outcome and provision of care. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 44 (12), 828–38.
