Tracking auditory mismatch negativity responses during full conscious state and coma.

The mismatch negativity (MMN) is considered the electrophysiological change-detection response of the brain, and therefore a valuable clinical tool for monitoring functional changes associated with return to consciousness after severe brain injury. Using an auditory multi-deviant oddball paradigm, we tracked auditory MMN responses in seventeen healthy controls over a 12-h period, and in three comatose patients assessed over 24 h at two time points. We investigated whether the MMN responses show fluctuations in detectability over time in full conscious awareness, or whether such fluctuations are rather a feature of coma.

N2b Reflects the Cognitive Changes in Executive Functioning After Concussion: A Scoping Review.

The N2b is an event-related potential (ERP) component thought to index higher-order executive function. While the impact of concussion on executive functioning is frequently discussed in the literature, limited research has been done on the role of N2b in evaluating executive functioning in patients with concussion. The aims of this review are to consolidate an understanding of the cognitive functions reflected by the N2b and to account for discrepancies in literature findings regarding the N2b and concussion.

Evaluating Adherence to Return to School and Activity Protocols in Children After Concussion.

Objective: The need to have a pediatric-specific concussion management protocol on Return to School (RTS) and Return to Activity (RTA) after concussion has been recognized internationally. The first step to evaluate the protocol effectiveness is to establish whether children and youth are adhering to these recommendations. The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence and predictors of adherence to RTS and RTA concussion management protocols for children/youth.

What Comes First: Return to School or Return to Activity for Youth After Concussion? Maybe We Don't Have to Choose.

Return to School (RTS) and Return to Activity/Play (RTA) protocols are important in concussion management. Minimal evidence exists as to sequence and whether progression can occur simultaneously. Experts recommend that children/youth fully return to school before beginning RTA protocols.

Quality-of-life after brain injury in childhood: time, not severity, is the significant factor.

Objective: Little is known about the impact of acquired brain injury (ABI) on the long-term quality-of-life (QoL) in children and youth. The objectives of this study were to illustrate the long-term QoL trajectories at 5 years post-ABI.

Methods: The QoL of children between 5-18 years (n = 94) admitted to McMaster Children's Hospital with ABI were assessed longitudinally for a minimum of 5 years post-injury using the Child Health Questionnaire.

"My child doesn't have a brain injury, he only has a concussion".

Objective: The term "concussion" is frequently used in clinical records to describe a traumatic head injury; however, there are no standard definitions of this term, particularly in how it is used with children. The goals of this study were to examine the clinical correlates of the concussion diagnosis and to identify the factors that lead to the use of this term in a regional pediatric center.

Methods: Medical data were prospectively collected from 434 children with traumatic brain injury who were admitted to a Canadian children's hospital.

Exploring postinjury living environments for children and youth with acquired brain injury.

Objectives: To explore and describe the extent to which children and youth (10-18y) with acquired brain injury in Ontario are living in environments considered inappropriate, to describe the nature of services and supports in those environments, and to determine appropriate living environments for children and youth with acquired brain injury.

Design: A mixed-methods approach with a case-study design was used in which the living environment represented the case. This article reports on the qualitative component.

Work organization and health: a qualitative study of the perceptions of workers.

Workplaces comprise a large component of life partcipation. The complexity of work organization makes it challenging to understand how the environment impacts the health of workers and who is responsible for creating a healthy workplace. This investigation sought to understand the views of workers about workplace health.

Work organization and its effects on the health of Chinese workers with English as a second language: a qualitative approach.

Work organization consists of three contexts: (a) the external context/factors, (b) the organizational context/practices, and, (c) the work context/process. The investigation of work organization may lead to more effective prevention and intervention for work-related injury and illness. Studies have suggested that workers with limited English proficiency may be more prone to work-related injury and illness.