German validation of Quality of Life after Brain Injury (QOLIBRI) assessment and associated factors.

The consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) for health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are still poorly understood, and no TBI-specific instrument has hitherto been available. This paper describes in detail the psychometrics and validity of the German version of an internationally developed, self-rated HRQoL tool after TBI-the QOLIBRI (Quality of Life after Brain Injury). Factors associated with HRQoL, such as the impact of cognitive status and awareness, are specifically reported.

[Weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation in neurological weaning units: an evaluation of the German Working Group for early Neurorehabilitation].

Background: A significant proportion of patients with long-term mechanical ventilation (MV) and difficult or prolonged weaning suffer from primary or secondary neurological conditions and concomitant functional disorders, in addition to respiratory problems. Therefore, these patients are treated in neurological weaning departments.

Material And Methods: Using a questionnaire members of the German Working Group for early neurorehabilitation were interviewed with respect to the structure of weaning facilities, weaning strategies, patient characteristics and treatment outcome of patients admitted for weaning in 2009.

[Long-term course of patients in neurological rehabilitation Phase B. Results of the 6-year follow-up in a multicenter study].

Background: After conclusion of emergency care for severe neurological diseases patients in Germany are admitted at an early stage to so-called Phase B rehabilitation. No studies have been carried out on the long-term course of these patients.

Patients And Methods: In a prospective study in 2002 patients in Phase B from 9 centers were included and follow-up investigations were carried out after 5 and 6 years.