High-level mobility outcomes following acquired brain injury: a preliminary evaluation.

Abstract

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a high-level mobility programme for people with acquired brain injury (ABI). RESEARCH DESIGN: A cohort study which evaluated the efficacy of a high-level mobility programme for people with ABI. SETTING: A major rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight people with acquired brain injury. EXPERIMENTAL INTERVENTIONS: A 3 month high-level mobility programme conducted twice weekly consisting of strengthening exercises, pre-running and running drills and agility exercises supplemented with a gym or home exercise programme. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: The primary outcome measure was the high-level mobility assessment tool (HiMAT). Participants were predominantly male and young (average age 33.2 years, range 16-72 years) with chronic ABI. HiMAT scores for the 28 participants who returned at the 3 month follow-up initially ranged from 6-44 points (mean 20.3). The 3 month follow-up scores ranged from 12-51 points (mean 29.2). The mean HiMAT score change ranged from 2-20 points (mean 8.9). CONCLUSIONS: Significant recovery in high-level mobility was achieved during a 3 month running programme. People with chronic ABI may also expect to benefit from retraining high-level mobility. Clinical trials are needed to assess the effectiveness of training programmes for high-level mobility.