Baseline Testing and its Importance to the Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI’s)

Generically, baseline testing may be defined as any test that measures current or pre-treatment parameters against which responses to therapy may be measured[1]. Stated otherwise, this kind of test is administered before an activity or therapy in order to ascertain an equilibrium or “resting state” measurement. Knowing that, it can be determined what effect the subsequent activity or therapy had on the equilibrium.

In the context of traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s), and specifically, concussions, a good example of the importance and function of baseline testing is found in sports. Baseline testing is important because it is a means of measuring cognitive function and cognitive deficits that many not be otherwise observable. Again in the context of sports, baseline testing lays the groundwork for a later assessment of an athlete’s brain function, balance and memory, potential need for cognitive therapy, and other short-term and long-term post-acute rehabilitation.

Baseline testing for athletes involved in sports that are, by nature, contact sports or where concussions or traumatic brain injury is of particular importance. These include:

• Baseball
• Football
• Auto racing
• Basketball
• Hockey
• College basketball

The risk of traumatic brain injury, though, extends to many other athletic activities such as:

• Gymnastics, where falls may occur
• Wrestling, where an individual’s head could be hit by an elbow or upon the hard surface of a mat or floor
• Boxing, where punches and jolts to the head are common, if not encouraged
• Cycling, where an individual may collide with another cyclist or fall from his or her bicycle for some other reason
• Various types of winter sports including skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling where falls, collisions or ejections can occur onto hard surfaces.

From the standpoints of accuracy and completeness, baseline testing should first be done before involvement in the sports activity, even pre-season practice. Thereafter, if a traumatic brain injury (TBI) such as a concussion is suspected, the testing should be redone and the results assessed by a healthcare professional/ Baseline testing should include review for concussion symptoms, as well as balance and cognitive assessments (such as those for concentration, memory and executive function). Computerized or paper and pencil neuropsychological tests may be included to measure an overall baseline test to assess an athlete’s concentration, memory and reaction time.

Baseline test results are of paramount importance in helping to determine whether an individual has sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) such as a concussion. It is a measurement device against which to compare the individual’s then-current cognitive, neurologic and neurobehavioral condition. All doubts as to the results of baseline tests must be resolved in favor of the existence of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and precautions taken against its exacerbation, including prohibiting current play.

When an athlete sustains a traumatic brain injury such as a concussion, acute care must be rendered immediately. Thereafter, depending upon the degree of the concussion, residual symptoms and the results of objective testing, post-acute care may be needed. For example, if the concussion causes psychological or cognitive problems, the elements of a Client Goal Plan of post-acute care may include:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Rehabilitation of cognitive deficits
• Neurologic rehabilitation
• Short-term care
• Residential services

Upon becoming a Client of NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida an individual undergoes a functional evaluation by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals which may include:

• Board Certified Neurologist
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst
• Board Certified Physiatrist
• Neuropsychologist
• Psychologist
• Board Certified Psychiatrist
• Speech Language Pathologist/Cognitive Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Nurses
• Certified Rehab Counselor

The multidisciplinary team assembled for the Client’s post-acute rehabilitation is uniquely equipped to help the Client with post-acute rehabilitation from a mild traumatic brain injury. The goal, always, is to assist the Client in attaining that degree of independence that his or her physical and mental abilities allow.

Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” —  the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services.

NeuLife’s philosophy is that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best achieved in a positive and uplifting therapeutic environment where caring staff encourages, assists and supports each client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as goals to achieve function and independence.

NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is an accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Amputations, Burns and other Catastrophic Injuries and Challenging Diagnoses.

2725 Robie Avenue

Mount Dora, Florida 32757

[1] Segen’s Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc.