The Association between Agitation and Dysphagia Diet Levels of Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury

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Date

2013-05

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The Ohio State University

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Abstract

Agitation after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have a major impact on the rehabilitation process. Agitation can also impact one’s ability to swallow correctly (dysphagia.) A decrease in cognitive function and behavioral control that characterizes agitation may interfere with the understanding of the normal swallowing process: the procedures and maneuvers, and the sensation and awareness of the bolus. This loss of cognitive ability may require a modification to the patient’s diet. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between agitation after a traumatic brain injury and diet restrictions. The methods included reviewing archived data from the TBI Practice-Based Evidence Study held at The Dodd Hall Rehabilitation Hospital at The Ohio State University. Data from ten patients were analyzed. The patients’ agitation levels from three time segments per day were plotted against their diet consistency. Data points from the patients’ FIM™ Cognitive scores were also plotted to show the patients’ cognitive progression. A range of patterns were observed, suggesting that therapists may have made diet levels less restricted due to a variety of factors, such as an improvement with the physical structures related to the swallowing process. The results of this study can help inform clinicians about the recovery process of patients with traumatic brain injury.

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Traumatic Brain Injury, Dysphagia, Cognition, Agitation

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