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Return to work after traumatic brain injury

Tue 07 May 2013

Cohort comparison and economic evaluation - aims to determine whether a TBI specialist VR intervention (TBI VR) was more effective at work return and retention 12 months after injury than usual care (UC)

Cohort comparison and economic evaluation

2013, Vol. 27, No. 5 , Pages 507-520 (doi:10.3109/02699052.2013.766929)

Kate Radford, Julie Phillips, Avril Drummond, Tracey Sach, Marion Walker, Andy Tyerman, Naseer Haboubi, Trevor Jones

Background

Returning to work (RTW) in the UK is problematic following TBI. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) is limited and efficacy or costs seldom reported. This study aimed to determine whether a TBI specialist VR intervention (TBI VR) was more effective at work return and retention 12 months after injury than usual care (UC). Secondary aims were to explore the feasibility of collecting economic data to inform a definitive trial.

Method

Work outcomes of TBI-VR were compared to UC. Ninety-four participants (40 TBI-VR) with TBI resulting in hospitalization ≥48 hours, who were working at injury were followed up by postal questionnaire at 3, 6 and 12 months post-hospital discharge. Primary outcome was RTW. Secondary outcomes were functional ability, mood and quality-of-life. Health resource use was measured by self-report.

Results

At 12 months, 15% more TBI-VR participants (27% more with moderate/severe TBI) were working than UC (27/36, 75% vs. 27/45, 60%). Mean TBI-VR health costs per person (consultant, GP, therapy, medication) were only £75 greater at 1 year. Secondary outcomes showed no significant baseline differences between groups.

Discussion

More TBI-VR participants returned to work than UC. People with moderate/severe TBI benefitted most. This positive trend was achieved without greatly increased health costs, suggesting cost-effectiveness. This study justifies the need for and can inform a definitive Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT).

The full text of this research is available to download from http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/02699052.2013.766929

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