Effectiveness of brain injury rehabilitation and influencing policy

It is important to demonstrate the effectiveness of rehabilitation through systematic review of the literature and the development of evidence-based standards and guidelines. These guidelines play a significant role in influencing policy regarding the provision and quality of rehabilitation services in the UK. In addition, Prof Turner-Stokes’ position as Deputy Chair of the External Reference Group for the NSF in long-term conditions, and as Chair of the Research and Evidence subgroup, has provided a useful platform from which to influence national policy, and to press for further investment in rehabilitation research.

Initial reviews were undertaken in 1999 where Prof Turner-Stokes led a BSRM working party to identify the evidence for effectiveness in rehabilitation which was then published in a supplement to Clinical Rehabilitation. More recently this work as focussed on Cochrane reviews. A review is registered for the effectiveness of multi-disciplinary rehabilitation in rehabilitation of adults with acquired brain injury. This review has been used to underpin the National Guidelines for Rehabilitation in Acquired Brain Injury. The guidelines have been developed by a multi-agency working party chairmanship of Prof Turner-Stokes and were published in December 2003 by the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Royal College of Physicians.