On the road to optimize rehabilitation for young individuals with acquired brain injury

Author(s):
Allonsius, F.
Published
2024
Publication type
Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

Identifying, targeting, and evaluating the consequences of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) in young individuals (4-25 years old) are essential elements of medical specialist rehabilitation care for this group. Several knowledge gaps regarding the occurrence and severity of consequences and the delivery of rehabilitation existed.

This thesis enhanced the understanding of ABI-related consequences and aimed to optimize rehabilitation care provided to young Dutch individuals with ABI.

Section 1 of this thesis investigated the severity and course over 2 years of persisting ABI-related problems in young people with ABI and their families. In this cohort, many problems were found in the domains of Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL), fatigue, participation, and family impact at time of referral to rehabilitation and these problems tended to persist over time.

In section 2, the structure and process of rehabilitation for young patients with ABI across Dutch rehabilitation centers and the development of a national consensus-based framework for clinical practice, including preferred assessments, interventions, and psychoeducation, for young people with ABI was described. This thesis emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to rehabilitation and lays the foundation for future initiatives aiming to further optimize rehabilitation treatment for young individuals with ABI and their families.

RehabilitationBrain injuryYoung individualsParticipationFatigueFamily impactQuality of life
Defense date
2024-06-25
Language
English
Supervisor(s)
Vliet Vlieland, T.P.M.
Advisor(s)
Holst, M. van der; Kloet, A.J. de
Committee member(s)
Peul, W.C.; Hulst, H.E.; Gorter, J.W.; Rameckers, E.A.A.
Qualification
Ph.D.
Degree granting institution
Faculty of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden University, Leiden
hdl
1887/3765335
ISBN(s)
9789464698992

Funding

Sponsorship
The studies in this thesis were financially supported by the Dutch Brain Foundation (Hersenstichting) (Section 1 and 2) and ‘HandicapNL’ (previously: Revalidatiefonds) (Section 1). The printing of this thesis was financially supported by Basalt rehabilitation.