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A systematic review of the community integration (CI) literature for persons with traumatic brain injury was undertaken to evaluate: (1) How do we best measure CI? (2) Can we predict CI following rehabilitation? (3) Does social and activity participation have an effect on CI? (4) Does CI have an effect on quality of life/life satisfaction? Seventy-two articles were analysed. The results demonstrated: (1) strong evidence supporting the use of the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ), (2) mixed evidence supporting the ability to predict CI, with the prominent predictive variables being severity of injury, age, gender, education, prior work, living environment, cognition, emotional status, functional performance and disability. The literature search was restricted to articles published in English and the heterogeneity in the outcomes, methods, participants and other characteristics not reported. Further research is needed to examine the complex relationship of person, environment and CI.

Evaluation of hand function is a qualitative and quantitative process. This article provides a review of several quantitative tests and measures used to evaluate range of motion, edema, muscle performance, sensation, dexterity, and physical capacity. The validity and reliability of these instruments are emphasized. Some of the hand assessments reviewed are in the early developmental phase with further refinements yet to come. This article demonstrates the continued need to provide support for the validity and reliability of hand-assessment instrumentation. Regardless of the statistical support provided, however, the authors believe that hand therapy will remain an art as well as a science.

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A theoretical model that provides a foundation for understanding function and dysfunction in cognition and perception is needed as a prerequisite for the development of effective assessment and treatment tools to be used with the brain-injured adult. Such a model and clear definitions are absent in the occupational therapy literature on adult brain function and dysfunction. This paper represents a cognitive rehabilitation model adapted for occupational therapy from the fields of neuropsychology and cognitive psychology. Differentiation of terms, an overview of the model's theory, and evaluation principles are discussed. Cognitive rehabilitation is presented from an information processing perspective. Three other treatment approaches identified in the literature are discussed and compared with cognitive rehabilitation.

A computer-generated virtual reality environment represents a reproducible tool to assess selected cognitive functions and can be used as a supplement to traditional rehabilitation assessment in persons with acquired brain injury.