Brain Injury Model Systems Research Articles

Influence of Prior and Intercurrent Brain Injury on 5-Year Outcome Trajectories After Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

To characterize the influence of additional (both prior and subsequent) traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) on recovery after a moderate to severe index TBI. Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems centers. Persons with moderate to severe TBI (N = 5054) enrolled in the TBI Model Systems National Database with complete outcome data for the outcomes of interest at 1-, 2-, and 5-year follow-up. Secondary analysis of a prospective longitudinal data set. Prior and intercurrent TBI from the Ohio State University TBI Identification Method (OSU TBI-ID), Disability Rating Scale (DRS), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Prior moderate-severe TBIs significantly predicted overall level of functioning on the DRS, FIM Cognitive, and FIM Motor for participants with less severe index injuries. Moderate-severe intercurrent TBIs (TBIs subsequent to the index injury) were predictive of poorer functioning for both Index Severity groups, reflected in higher mean scores on the DRS in participants with less severe index injuries and lower mean Cognitive FIM in participants with more severe index injuries. Multiple brain injuries, particularly those of moderate or greater severity, have a significantly greater impact on patients' level of functioning compared with a single injury, but not the rate or shape of recovery.

Comparative Effectiveness of Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation

To measure patient functional outcomes across rehabilitation centers. Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (TBIMS) centers. Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) admitted to 21 TBIMS rehabilitation centers (N = 6975, during 1999-2008). Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Center-specific functional outcomes of TBI patients using Functional Independence Measure, Disability Rating Scale, and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended. There were large differences in patient characteristics across centers (demographics, TBI severity, and functional deficits at admission to rehabilitation). However, even after taking those factors into account, there were significant differences in functional outcomes of patients treated at different TBIMS centers. There are significant differences in functional outcomes of TBI patients across rehabilitation centers.

TBI Model System Grants

The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model Systems Program has been funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) since 1987. Until recently, this program has consisted of four centers that conducted priority-focused research on specific aspects of TBI and analyzed data on the basis of a uniform, comprehensive national database. In 1997, $5 million in additional funding was allocated for the expansion of this program. In October 1998, after a competitive renewal process, a total of 12 new centers were awarded, bringing the total TBI Model Systems to 17. In addition to the creation of new centers, funding was provided for specific collaborative research projects and increased resources for the TBI National Data Center. Below are the abstracts for both the newly funded systems and the existing systems.