Wessex Head Injury Matrix

(Shiel, Wilson, McLellan, Horn, & Watson, 2000) 

What does it assess?

Recovery in patients with severe head injury. 

Who is it suitable for?

• Patients with a severe head injury, aged 16 years+.
• Could be adapted for younger individuals, but care is needed and there is no research to support this. 

Who is it not suitable for?

• People with other forms of acquired disabilities. 

How is it administered?

• Speech pathologist or other professionals on a multidisciplinary team can administer it.
• Consists of observing 62 items organised hierarchically: (a) basic responses, (b) behaviours signalling the beginnings of social interaction, (c) behaviours showing increasing evidence of recovery in terms of attention and cognitive organisation, and (d) behaviours relating to orientation and continuous memory that indicate emergence from post-traumatic amnesia.
• Relies on a series of observations, which can be recorded in 5-mins or over extended time. 

How is it scored/ interpreted?

• The rank number of the highest behaviour achieved in the hierarchy  indicates the extent and rate of recovery from PTA. 

What is its availability

• Can be purchased from Pearson Clinical Assessment.

• Cost: $287 complete kit; $135 for 25 score sheets.

How does it contribute to a communication assessment for someone with behaviours of concern?

• Provides a way of understanding the behaviours of a person who has had a head injury and engaging the people who support them. 

References:

Wilson, B., Shiel, A., Watson, M., Horn, S., &  McLellan, D. (1994). Monitoring behaviour during coma and post traumatic amnesia. In A. Christensen & B. Uzell (Eds.), Progress in the Rehabilitation of Brain Injured People (p. 85-98). Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.