FRETT: Fall Risk Evaluation Tool For Traumatic Brain Injury A Master’s Thesis Project
The goal of this thesis project was to develop an evidence-based multi-factorial assessment that appropriately measures fall risk in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The thesis team created an assessment they named FRETT (Fall Risk Evaluation Tool for Traumatic Brain Injury) that evaluates significant risk factors for falling in the TBI population through a variety of assessment tools. Methods included both portions of currently published assessments and original assessments developed by the thesis team. A manual was also developed with detailed instructions on how to perform and score FRETT. The target population for this project included the occupational therapists, physical therapists, and nurses that work at the CareMeridian rehabilitation facility in Fairfax, CA, Kentfield Rehabilitation Specialty Hospital in Kentfield, CA, and California Pacific Medical Center Davies Campus in San Francisco, CA. The thesis team conducted three 45-minute presentations on the use of FRETT followed by question and answer sessions with the clinicians. Assessment of the project was conducted via surveys filled out by the clinicians immediately after attending the presentations. General feedback obtained from the surveys was positive. The participating clinicians indicated that FRETT could be a useful tool when working with higher functioning individuals with a history of TBI. The thesis team suggests a future research project to test the validity of FRETT.
Fall Risk Assessment, Falls, Falling, TBI, Occupational Therapy
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