The underlying structure of the Postconcussion Syndrome Questionnaire (PCS) was evaluated in a large sample of 1,116 medical and psychiatric patients. Balancing internal consistency, confirmatory factor analysis, and parsimony results in endorsement of the four-factor solution for the PCS for this sample. (SLD)

Examined the incidence of violence-related injuries in an urban school district, comparing characteristics of intentional and unintentional injuries. Data from student accident report forms indicated that 77.2 percent of injuries were unintentional, 16.8 percent were intentional, and 6.0 percent were of unknown intent. High school students and…

Describes an occupational therapy skills assessment protocol developed and used to evaluate physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities for persons seeking to return to work following head injuries. It measures them within the framework of productivity, interpersonal skills, and safety. (Contains 48 references.) (Author/JOW)

Investigated behavioral adjustment of 45 children with mild, moderate, and severe closed head injuries. Behavior scales were completed by parent at time of injury and again 6 and 12 months postinjury. Severe head injury was associated with declines in adaptive functioning; scores for children with mild and moderate injuries neither differed nor…

Teachers should know basic first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the Heimlich maneuver to be able to deal with emergencies immediately. (SK)

Team physicians and coaches need a working knowledge of the pathophysiology of sports injuries to the larynx and trachea, carefully examining any such injuries because they could develop slowly and without symptoms into a compromised airway. Laryngeal and tracheal anatomy are discussed along with diagnosis and treatment. (SM)

The Shock Trauma Center of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems instituted a comprehensive speech-language pathology program to provide acute intervention for communicative disorders in a critical/intensive care environment. This article provides a profile of the Center, a review of communicative impairments, and examples…

The article considers eight values and factors that enter into decisions regarding resource allocation for persons with brain injury including the quality of life, moral culpability of the brain-injured person, the social contribution of the person, allocation of family and societal responsibilities, justice, the nature of health care, and…

The article describes the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act which provides for recovery awards for vaccine-related injuries caused by diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines. A Vaccine Injury Table lists types of disabilities covered and time periods for first symptoms. The claims process, legal assistance,…

Risk of neurological injuries accompanies horseback riding, especially for children and adolescents. This article describes the mechanisms of craniospinal injuries and suggests measures to lessen risks. Measures include: identifying individuals who should not ride, developing criteria for resumption of riding after injury, developing protective…

Presents art therapy intervention protocol developed for burn trauma unit over 10-year period. Considers research model for assessing artwork and psychosocial transition from trauma, rationales for art therapy in medical settings, and documentation. Case study illustrates ways that art media were used to review, integrate, and express personal…

A retrospective review of medical charts for 34 children with a diagnosis of child abuse, who had cranial computed tomography scans performed, revealed that some scans initially interpreted as normal were subsequently reinterpreted as abnormal, and some children's repeat scannings were interpreted as abnormal, modifying the medical and legal…

Reviews the literature about predictors of severe and fatal physical child abuse. Of various factors relating to the victim, the perpetrator, and the report of child abuse, the only one found to consistently relate to severity of injury is the age of the child. All other questions concerning prediction of injury severity have yet to be answered…

Conceptualization of the role of personality constructs in the drug usage behavior of individuals with disabilities has both preventive and treatment relevance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between sensation seeking and drug usage pattern of persons with spinal cord injury. Implications for rehabilitation research…

Studied eight matched men's and women's intercollegiate teams for one year to determine the incidence of athletic injury and disability. Found no gender differences except in gymnastics, in which certain events may account for the greater rate of injuries and longer recovery time among female subjects. (DM)