Community based rehabilitation: Special issues

Issue title: Community Based Rehabilitation after Neurologic Injury

Guest editors: Stephanie A. Kowlakowsky-Hayner

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Martelli, Michael F.^{a; b} | Zasler, Nathan D.^{a; b; c; d; e; *} | Tiernan, Patricia^a

Affiliations: [a] Tree of Life Services, Inc., Richmond, VA, USA | [b] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA | [c] Concussion Care Centre of Virginia, Ltd., Richmond, VA, USA | [d] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA | [e] International Brain Injury Association, Alexandria, VA, USA | Rehabilitation Research Center, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Nathan D. Zasler, MD, 3721 Westerre Parkway, Suite B, Richmond, VA 23233, USA. Tel.: +1 804 346 1803; Fax: +1 804 346 1956; E-mail: nzasler@cccv-ltd.com. Webpage: http://tree-of-life.com

Abstract: The primary goal in the developing field of community based rehabilitation (CBR) for individuals with TBI / ABI is community participation and integration. At present, CBR is less than clearly defined and is represented by a set of interventions with varied types, degrees of clinical support and models of intervention that are conducted for a diverse and complex set of individuals, situations, deficits and settings. Nonetheless, holistic neurorehabilitation programs should be considered both evidence based and a practice standard. This paper attempts to address some of the significant issues relevant to optimizing long term adaptation for persons receiving CBR. The article also addresses the current need for definitions, models, program classifications and comparisons, as well as programmatic methodologies by attempting to integrate some of the best scientifically supported methodologies within an eclectic holistic rehabilitation model that is easily understood and teachable to persons with TBI, families and rehabilitation professionals. This model and associated methodologies are intended to inform best practices while offering a framework for hypothesis generation, clinical decision-making, evaluation of treatment outcomes and direction of future research.

Keywords: Post-acute rehabilitation, community care, brain injury, biopsychosocial, community based rehabilitation, community reintegration

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-2012-0770

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 3-18, 2012