Chronic toxic encephalopathy: social consequences and experiences from a rehabilitation program.

Abstract

This study evaluates a rehabilitation program designed to address the social function issues of patients with solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy (TE) and their families. Fourteen newly diagnosed men and their spouses participated in group sessions. The patients were given cognitive training, and crisis intervention measures were implemented. Their spouses were given information about the disease and had an opportunity to talk about their emotions and the disease's impact on the family's functioning. Interviews after the program showed that patients and their spouses were experiencing less psychological distress and increased social activity and had begun reestablishing contacts with friends. Their psychiatric symptoms, measured during a structured interview by a nurse, decreased significantly immediately after the treatment period but increased again after 6 months. Only a long-term follow-up study comparing the experiences of these patients with those of untreated TE patients can determine whether improvement can be sustained over the long term.

• Authors: G Abjörnsson, P Orbaek, S Hagstadius
• Journal: Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (Rehabil Nurs) 1998 Jan-Feb Vol. 23 Issue 1 Pg. 38-43 ISSN: 0278-4807 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9460457 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Solvents

Topics

• Adult
• Brain Diseases (chemically induced, psychology, rehabilitation)
• Chronic Disease
• Family Health
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Occupational Exposure
• Program Evaluation
• Rehabilitation Centers (organization & administration)
• Social Adjustment
• Solvents (toxicity)