Expert opinion in the identification of variables for the measurement of early recovery in adults with traumatic brain injury

The expert opinion of 27 experienced physical therapists was systematically sought using a modified Delphi technique in order to identify the important variables to be included in the neurophysical evaluation of the traumatic brain-injured (IBI) adult during the acute stage of rehabilitation (first 3 months). An initial survey of the therapists generated 63 items which were later regrouped into 23 categories. Each category was then rated using a five-point scale (1 = of no importance to 5 = extremely important) by each therapist as to its importance in the early clinical neurophysical evaluation of the TBI patient. Those variables identified as extremely important by at least 50% of experts include: state of consciousness, voluntary movements, spontaneous movement and transfers. The results of this study highlight, for physical therapists and other health professionals, the important variables to be included in the evaluation of neurophysical deficits in persons with TBI in the acute stage of rehabilitation.