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Primary objective: To examine the utility of a coordinated, family/community-focused programme (PABICOP) vs. a standard approach for improving outcomes for children with ABI and their families.Research design: Pre-test-post-test design, with comparison group and follow-up.Methods and procedures: Ninety-six children (64 children receiving PABICOP services and 32 children receiving standard care) participated in the study. Measures were completed at baseline and 3 and 12 months later.Main outcomes and results: Parents/caregivers with more than 10 contacts with PABICOP scored significantly higher on an ABI knowledge quiz than either parents/caregivers with 10 contacts or less or the comparison group at post-test and follow-up. Parents/caregivers with 10 contacts or less with PABICOP reported significantly greater improvements in children's school and total competence on the CBCL than either parents/caregivers with more than 10 contacts or the comparison group at post-test and follow-up.Conclusions: PABICOP may be more useful for enhancing knowledge of ABI for parents/caregivers and for integrating children into the community over a 1-year period than a standard approach. The amount of service received appears to influence outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agitation following TBI commonly occurs during the acute recovery phase. The ABS is a valid measure of agitation in adults following TBI. The objective of the study was to determine if ABS scores accurately measure acute agitation in pediatric patients recovering from TBI. The ABS was completed twice daily for 4 days and mean ABS scores were calculated. Physicians assessed patients' agitation daily using a VAS. In addition, interventions for agitation were recorded. The association between ABS and VAS scores was assessed using Spearman's correlation. The relationship between the number of medication classes taken for agitation (0, 1-2, or ≥3) and ABS scores was assessed using one-way analysis of variance. Finally, the association between the use of hand restraints and ABS scores was examined using an unpaired two-sample t -test. Twenty-six pediatric patients with acute TBI were included. ABS scores significantly associated with VAS scores. Patients that required interventions for agitation (hand restraints or ≥3 medication classes) had higher ABS scores than patients that did not receive any intervention. The study supports the use of ABS scoring to measure agitation in pediatric patients with TBI. However, additional studies are warranted to further support the validity of this scale. Abbreviations: TBI: Traumatic brain injury; ABS: Agitated Behaviour Scale; VAS: visual analog scale; PCCU: Pediatric Critical Care Unit.