Balance and Mobility Improvements During Inpatient Rehabilitation Are Similar in Young-Old, Mid-Old, and Old-Old Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury

OBJECTIVE

To compare balance, mobility, and functional outcomes across 3 age groups of older adults with traumatic brain injury; to describe differences between those discharged to private residences versus institutional care.

SETTING

Acute inpatient rehabilitation facility.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred adults, mean age of 78.6 ± 7.9 years (range = 65-95 years), with an admitting diagnosis of traumatic brain injury.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

MAIN MEASURES

Functional Independence Measure (FIM) for Cognition and Mobility; Berg Balance Scale; Timed Up and Go; and gait speed, at admission to and discharge from an inpatient rehabilitation facility.

RESULTS

Statistically significant improvements (P < .01) were made on the Timed Up and Go, Berg Balance Scale, and gait speed for young-old, mid-old, and old-old adults, with no differences among the 3 age groups. Substantial balance and mobility deficits remained. The FIM cognition (P = .013), FIM Walk (P = .009), and FIM Transfer (P = .013) scores were significantly better in individuals discharged home or home with family versus those discharged to an institution.

CONCLUSION

Preliminary outcome data for specific balance and mobility measures are reported in 3 subgroups of older adults following traumatic brain injury, each of which made significant and similar improvements. Some FIM item scores discriminated between those discharged to a private residence versus a higher level of care.