Assessing and Managing Agitation During Early Recovery in Children With Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Australia: A National Survey

Background: Agitation is a common experience in the early stages of recovery from moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) at any age, but there is limited research evidence to guide best practice for children and adolescents. Objective: We aimed to explore current approaches to the assessment and management of agitation following pediatric moderate-to-severe TBI. Methods: In 2024, a cross-sectional anonymous survey was distributed via email to clinicians involved in care of children during early moderate-to-severe TBI recovery in Australia. Results: Respondents were 58 clinicians (medical, nursing, and allied health) who worked in pediatric emergency, intensive care, acute, or inpatient rehabilitation settings. Findings indicated that formal measures are rarely used to evaluate, monitor, and document agitation in children with moderate-to-severe TBI in the early stages of recovery, despite a wide range of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions being used in its management. Conclusion: Future research is critical to ensure that developmentally appropriate measures of agitation are implemented in clinical practice following pediatric moderate-to-severe TBI and to address the lack of evidence for the range of interventions used.