• TBI Information from the Model Systems
• Webcourse: Accommodating the Symptoms of TBI
• Screening for TBI: A SynapShot from OVC
• Long-Term Consequences of TBI: A SynapShot from OVC
• Agitation and TBI: A SynapShot from OVC
• Measurement of Agitation
• Administration and Use of the Agitated Behavior Scale (ABS)
• Treatment of Agitation
• References
• Substance Use and TBI: A SynapShot from OVC
• Substance Use with TBI: Materials from OVC
• TBI 101

• Agitation Following TBI
• Measurement of Agitation
• Administration and Use of The Agitated Behavior Scale (ABS)
• Treatment of Agitation
• References

Agitation Following TBI

During the early phase of recovery from brain injury, many people undergo a period of agitation. Level IV of the Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning corresponds to the confused-agitated stage. This stage has been described as a time when a patient is in a heightened state of activity and has diminished capability for processing new information and responding to events in the environment (Malkmus et al., 1980). Based on studies of agitation following traumatic brain injury and other conditions, the following definition of agitation has been proposed:

Agitation is an excess of one or more behaviors that occurs during an altered state of consciousness (Bogner & Corrigan, 1995).

This definition emphasizes the importance of “excessiveness” over the type of behavior manifested. “Excessiveness” is defined as the degree to which the behavior interferes with functional activities and the extent to which the behavior can be inhibited. No one type of behavior comprises agitation, though some component behaviors may be more dominant at times. The definition also requires that the behavior occur during an altered state of consciousness, which, for traumatic brain injury, includes the diminished arousal present from time of injury through the clearing of post-traumatic amnesia.

Next: Measurement of Agitation