Factors associated with balance deficits on admission to rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury: a multicenter analysis

To evaluate how demographics, measures of injury severity, and acute care complications relate to sitting and standing balance in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Multicenter analysis of consecutive admissions to designated TBI Model Systems of Care (TBIMS). Ten National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research TBI Model System centers for coordinated acute and rehabilitation care. 908 adults with TBI were included in the study. Sitting and standing balance were assessed within 72 hours of admission to inpatient rehabilitation. Age less than 50 years had a significant association with normal sitting and standing balance (P =.001 and.05, respectively). Measures of severity of traumatic brain injury, including admission Glasgow Coma Score, length of posttraumatic amnesia (PTA), length of coma, and acute care length of stay were each significantly related to impaired sitting and standing balance ratings (P