International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2015 · DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120404116 · Published: April 14, 2015
This study compares the function and disability levels of patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spinal cord injuries (SCI). It uses the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) to assess these levels. The study found that TBI patients generally experience greater difficulties in cognition, self-care, relationships, daily activities, and social participation compared to SCI patients. Factors such as age, sex, type of injury, socioeconomic status, where someone lives, and how severe their impairment is, all contribute to the level of disability experienced by individuals with TBI and SCI.
Rehabilitation programs should be tailored to address the specific needs of TBI and SCI patients, with a particular emphasis on improving cognition, self-care, relationships, and social participation for TBI patients.
The WHODAS 2.0 can be used to assess the multifaceted aspects of disability in TBI and SCI patients, providing a comprehensive and holistic perspective on their functional limitations.
Policymakers and healthcare providers should consider the socioeconomic factors and living environments that contribute to disability in TBI and SCI patients when designing support programs and services.