Characteristics of Post Traumatic Amnesia among Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Admitted in a Rehabilitation Ward

Chen Yit, Ng and Chau Chung, Chai and Mazlina, Mazlan (2019) Characteristics of Post Traumatic Amnesia among Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Admitted in a Rehabilitation Ward. Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 4 (suppl1). p. 13. ISSN 0127-984x

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Abstract

Introduction:Post traumatic amnesia (PTA) is a recovery process from traumatic brain injury (TBI); characterized by amnesia and confusion with likely behavioural disturbances. A proper assessment of PTA is crucial for rehabilitation planning and prognostication. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of PTA among TBI patients admittedto the rehabilitation ward. Methods: This is a retrospective study on TBI patients who were admitted to the rehabilitation ward, UMMC from December 2016 to May 2018; with a documented Westmead Post Traumatic Amnesia Scale (WPTAS) score on admission. Patients’ characteristics, duration of inpatient rehabilitation stay, duration of PTA and details of WPTAS were analysed. Results: 19 patients were recruited. All of them were male, have severe TBI, with mean age of 27.1 years ±8.3. Motor vehicle accident was the cause of TBI in 18 patients. The mean PTA duration was 49 days ±30. Only 3 patients were out of PTA before discharged. The mean WPTAS score for those discharged while still in PTA was 5.5. During first assessment, the question on examiner’s face in recall component was answered correctly by most patients. Initially, 53% patients showed better performance in recall component. By the end of inpatient stay, most patients (75%) showed better performance in orientation than recall component. 6 patients (32%)had post traumatic agitation that interrupted the WPTAS assessment. 13 patients (68%) showed a temporary drop in WPTAS total score during change of therapist and after long holidays. Conclusion:Orientation component seems to improve first, perhaps due tothe nature of resolution of confusion and enforcement of orientation board in the ward. Post traumatic agitation, change of therapist and long gap in between WPTAS assessment have shown to negatively affect the patient’s PTA recovery. Keywords:Post traumatic amnesia,traumatic brain injury,Westmead Post Traumatic Amnesia Scale,recovery pattern

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