Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA | [b] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA | [c] Department of Psychology, School of Social & Behavioral Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA | [x] Department of Psychology, School of Social & Behavioral Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA | [y] Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Related Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: David M. Morris, PhD, PT, Associate Professor of Physical, University of Alabama at Birmingham, RMSB 360, 1530 3rd Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35294-1212, USA. Tel.: +1 205 934 0418; Fax: +1 205 975 7787; E-mail: morrisd@uab.edu
Abstract: The great prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its high economic costs make reducing TBI-related disability a national health care priority. In our research laboratory, CI therapy has been found to significantly improve upper extremity function for persons with chronic TBI. The results have suggested that persons with TBI are less likely to adhere to critical components of the CI therapy protocol than participants with stroke in other studies. Treatment outcomes have also been more variable. Our findings suggest that some cognitive skills appear related to treatment outcome. In addition, cognitive and behavioral deficits, commonly seen with participants with TBI, challenge the delivery of the standard CI therapy protocol with some persons. We discuss the implications of these neuropsychological factors for CI therapy used for chronic TBI and propose further research to more thoroughly investigate these issues.
