Treatment Approaches and Interventions Flashcards

Which assistive technology category is most appropriate for a TBI survivor with severe expressive aphasia who retains some motor control?

Answer: Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices

AAC devices provide alternative means of communication for individuals who cannot rely on verbal speech, supporting participation and quality of life.

The HELPS Brain Injury Screening Tool is used by brain injury specialists primarily to:

Answer: Screen for unidentified prior TBI in adults presenting with complex needs

HELPS (Head injury, Employed before injury, Learning disability, Physical disability, Substance abuse) identifies undetected TBI history in populations with multiple vulnerabilities.

A TBI patient struggles with prospective memory (remembering future intentions). The most evidence-based compensatory strategy is:

Answer: Smartphone reminders and alarm-based cueing

Electronic reminders and alarm-based cueing systems have strong evidence for compensating prospective memory deficits in TBI by providing external prompts at the right time.

Which rehabilitation principle supports providing gradually decreasing therapist assistance to promote TBI survivor independence?

Answer: Scaffolding (fading of cues)

Scaffolding involves initially providing high support and systematically reducing it as the patient demonstrates competence, fostering independent skill performance.

Post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) duration is the strongest predictor of:

Answer: Long-term functional outcome after TBI

PTA duration is widely recognized as the single strongest predictor of long-term functional and psychosocial outcomes following TBI.

When a TBI survivor in a rehabilitation hospital refuses to participate in therapy, the FIRST intervention should be:

Answer: Explore the reason for refusal and problem-solve collaboratively

Understanding the underlying reason for refusal (pain, fatigue, lack of insight, depression) enables targeted interventions that address the actual barrier.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is being investigated in TBI for treatment of:

Answer: Post-traumatic depression

TMS targeting the DLPFC has an established evidence base for major depression and is under investigation for post-traumatic depression in TBI survivors.