Most People Say Independent Living After A Brain Injury Is Possible… Is This Why They Don't Always Wear A Helmet?

Brain Awareness Week, 14 - 20 March 2011

14 March 2011
Research shows that despite being aware of the dangers of brain injury, we still regularly put ourselves at risk. In a survey by the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, 74% of people said they know someone who has had a brain injury (including concussion), yet one in 10 failed to report their own injuries.

Most believed that it was possible toreturn to independent living after a brain injury, yet the question remains, why have they not reported their own incidents?  The earlier a brain injury is treated, the greater the chance of recovery.

Dr. Ashraff Ali, Lead Medical Consultant in Brain Injury Rehabilitation at The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, says: ‘Whether it is a lack of oxygen to the brain caused by a stroke, or excessive pressure on the brain cause by internal bleeding, permanent damage can be caused. The success of the rehabilitation often depends on how quickly a patient has been diagnosed and treated at the first stage of care.’

Not only are people failing to report their head injuries, they still don’t protect themselves during dangerous activity. Despite the majority of respondents being aware of the common causes of brain injury including stroke, road traffic accidents and falls, nearly 70% of people said they have ridden a horse and over 90% of people had cycled, without protective headgear. Research shows that one in three accidents while horse riding result in brain injuries [1] while cycle helmets have been found to reduce the risk of brain injury in accidents by 88%[2]

As a powerful reminder of how people with brain injury can regain their independence, a video has been released on Tuesday 15 March by the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability.

It features Marini who suffered a devastating stroke two years ago leaving her to live with locked-in syndrome, only able to move her eyes but completely conscious of what was going on around her.

Marini, 57, a former teacher of Spanish and English, spent 15 months at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability where she learnt to communicate again using an eye-gaze system. Eye-gaze is a computer system that follows the movement of her eyes, allowing the user to write what they want to say on screen.

The video shows Marini taking delivery of her specially adapted, motorised wheelchair, controlling it using small head movements which she regained through intensive rehabilitation.

Marini hopes to return to living at home with her husband Alan very soon. He points out that after being dependent on someone every day of her life since her stroke, the chair gives Marini her independence back.

“It will allow her some private time, and if she gets annoyed with me she can zoom off in her wheelchair.”

The video will be available on the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability’s website from Tuesday 15 March 2011 – www.rhn.org.uk.
 

Notes to editors

Information about The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability
The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) is a national medical charity helping people who are affected by brain injury. Some have been in car accidents, been mugged or might simply have fallen down stairs. Others have had a stroke, a heart attack, or have an illness affecting their brain such as multiple sclerosis or Huntington’s disease. The RHN offers an extensive range of rehabilitation and long-term care services, including specialist therapies and state of the art technology - giving the people we care for the best possible quality of life, whatever their level of ability. www.rhn.org.uk
 
Survey
Age
0 – 10 = 1         11 – 20 = 4        21 – 30 = 24      31 – 40 = 40     
41 – 50 = 31     51 – 60 = 12     61 – 70 = 4        71+ = 0

Sex
Male = 38          Female = 78

General
- 74% know someone who has had a head injury
- 30% had suffered a brain injury (including concussion)
- 10% had suffered a brain injury and not reported it
- The vast majority believed that at least some people could return to   independent living following a brain injury
- Almost 70% had ridden a horse and not worn protective headgear
- Over 90% had cycled without wearing a helmet
The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability conducted the survey online using Survey Monkey The survey was available online from 7 Monday March 2011 and results were calculated on 11 Friday March 2011.
 
Information about brain awareness week
Brain awareness week is an international campaign, coordinated by The DANA Foundation every March to increase awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research. The Dana Foundation is a private philanthropic organisation that supports brain research through grants and educates the public about the successes and potential of brain research. Dana produces free publications; coordinates the International Brain Awareness Week campaign; supports the Dana Alliances, a network of neuroscientists; and maintains a Web site, www.dana.org
 
References
[1] Silver JR, Lloyd Parry JM.Hazards of horse-riding as a popular sport. Br J
Sports Med1991; 25: 105-110.
[2] Thompson RS, Rivara FP, Thompson DC. A case–control study of the
effectiveness of bicycle safety helmets . N Engl J Med 1989;320:1361–7.
 
For further media enquiries, please contact Tom Chappell, Press & PR Officer on 020 8785 7844 or tchappell@rhn.org.uk