LAUSR

T BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (BIAA) published a position paper (http:// www.biausa.org/biaa-position-papers.htm) that describes the state of outcomes research in the field of brain injury and identifies the factors to consider when evaluating existing studies and embarking on future outcomes research. This commentary summarizes that article by highlighting 3 major challenges for outcome measurement in brain injury rehabilitation. It also presents opportunities for improving outcomes research through improved research design, standardization of measurement tools across the continuum with utilization of national databases, and an evidence-based approach to providing care to help move brain injury rehabilitation outcome measurement in a positive direction. Outcome measurement in brain injury rehabilitation has progressed. The Interagency Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Outcomes Workgroup recommended the use of multiple measures with sound psychometric properties that demonstrate utility with the brain injury population in TBI outcomes research.1 At a minimum, measures selected should assess global level of function, neuropsychological impairment, psychological status, activity limitations and participation restrictions, and perceived health-related quality of life. To accomplish this, most rehabilitation programs employ multiple measures to assess function in several domains as part of a comprehensive outcomes or program evaluation system.2 Despite this progress, there remain several major challenges for outcome measurement in brain injury rehabil-