TRAUMATIC BRAIN

Background: Physical disabilities resulting from stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) pose significant challenges to affected individuals, yet comparative assessments of these conditions remain limited in Nigeria. Understanding the determinants of disability in these populations is crucial for developing targeted rehabilitation strategies. Aims: This study aimed to compare the level of physical disability and its determinants among stroke survivors, SCI patients, and TBI patients, providing insights into their unique rehabilitation needs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 60 participants (20 per group). Data on demographic and health variables were collected using structured questionnaires and validated tools, including the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). One-way ANOVA was used to identify significant differences among groups. Results: The mean age of participants was 56.27 ± 10.70 years, with a mean condition duration of 5.60 ± 6.85 years the average score for the general health status (GS) was 32.05 ± 9.0. The WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) had a mean score of 21.65 ± 13.6. WHODAS scores suggested moderate disability across groups, with SCI patients showing higher scores, although not statistically significant (p = 0.053). Cognitive function remained preserved across all groups, as evidenced by high MMSE scores (mean: 29.97). the mean PHQ score was 5.70. ±4.3, the mean for PSS was 18.95 ±6.3, the mean BBS was 28.62 ±24.27. Conclusion: SCI patients exhibit greater impairments in balance and mobility compared to stroke and TBI patients.