Quality of life indices in brain injury: A pilot investigation

This IRB approved study explores the scope of acquired brain injury (ABI) as it affects an individual’s perceived quality of life and how measurement informs clinical decisions. Quality of life is an important consideration for persons with ABI, since research indicates acquired brain injury can lead to personality changes such as depression, anxiety, and aggression not previously exhibited (Greve et al., 2001). When treating persons with ABI, healthcare professionals must be able to reliably measure and track their client’s perceived quality of life. This pilot study included 35 clients receiving community-based intervention at Crossroads to Brain Injury Recovery, Inc. (Crossroads) in Harrisonburg, VA. Investigators used a visual analog scale to objectively gather self-perceived quality of life ratings directly from clients of Crossroads case managers. This easily administered linear bisection scale, termed the VASQOL, is gauged relative to its relationship to the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory (MPAI-4) (Lezak & Malec, 2003) as scored by clinicians. The MPAI-4 is a respected, standardized instrument used frequently in clinical evaluations following hospitalization. Using VASQOL in conjunction with subscales of the MPAI-4 yielded no statistically significant correlation between clinician’s scores and the client’s scores. Results provide guidance on the VASQOL and the MPAI-4 as quantitative measurements on perceived quality of life. No index of the clinician scored MPAI-4 informed client’s self-reported VASQOL quality of life ratings