Global insights from the 2026 International Paediatric Brain Injury Society Conference in Calgary

​In May, Vicki Gilman attended the International Paediatric Brain Injury Society (IPBIS) Biennial Conference in Calgary, Canada. Bringing together around 400 professionals from across the world, the conference provided an opportunity to hear about emerging research, share experiences and explore how different countries are supporting children and young people following brain injury.
 
There were only 17 delegates from the UK; therefore, the event offered a valuable opportunity to learn from clinicians, researchers, and rehabilitation professionals working across a wide range of healthcare systems globally. Despite differences in healthcare systems, there was remarkable agreement on what constitutes good practice and where future research should focus.
 
Some key themes and learning points Vicki shared with us from the conference.

Participation remains the most meaningful outcome.
 
In paediatric neurorehabilitation, meaningful outcome measurement worldwide and in the literature centres on participation.
 
Measuring participation and quality of life is globally considered more meaningful than concentrating solely on physical recovery. A variety of outcome measures are being used worldwide to support this approach, reflecting the growing emphasis on understanding how children function in everyday life.
 
Diagnosis and its relationship to prediction of long-term outcome
 
One significant highlight was the recognition that classifying acquired brain injury simply as mild, moderate or severe using the Glasgow Coma Scale is inadequate when predicting long-term outcomes.
 
Work led by Professor Geoff Manley is seeking to redress this in adults, and now similar work is taking place in paediatrics.
 
In summary, there are four pillars being proposed to provide better diagnostic and prognostic labelling of brain injuries:

• GCS at injury
• Biomarkers
• Scan evidence
• Modifiers

 
We can expect, over the coming years, to see a changing picture of the initial diagnosis, which should assist in prognosis at earlier stages and will likely guide rehabilitation funding and provision.
 
Outcome measurement
 
There are a variety of different outcome measures being used to measure participation. Those discussed at the conference included:
Global measures

• Physical Ability and Mobility Scale (PAMS)
• Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)
• Community Balance & Mobility Scale (CB&M)
• Acquired Brain Injury Challenge Assessment (ABI-CA)
• Return 2 Play (R2Play)
• Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)

These were generally presented as useful and worth consideration depending on client group and stage of recovery and rehabilitation.

• Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) – widely used but often not favoured as the most appropriate measurement tool by rehab professionals

 
Other more specific outcome measures were also widely utilised such as timed walking tests, The Berg Balance Scale, a range of specific neuropsychological tests and fatigue rating scales.
 
Co-production must be central, not an afterthought.
 
A consistent message throughout the conference was the importance of involving children, young people and families in service design and delivery.
 
Experts by experience are increasingly recognised as essential partners in rehabilitation. Their involvement helps ensure that services address not only clinical needs but also the social, emotional and psychological challenges faced by families.
 
Rather than being an additional element, co-production is becoming embedded in service planning from the earliest stages.

Supporting the whole family improves outcomes.
 
Across the conference presentations highlighted the profound impact that brain injury has on parents, siblings and wider family networks.
 
Each family member experiences the journey differently, and research continues to demonstrate that outcomes improve when support is available to the whole family, rather than focusing solely on the injured child.
 
Speakers also discussed the psychological impact of medical interventions and prolonged hospital stays. Although these interventions are often necessary, they can have long-lasting consequences for family members, including post-traumatic stress symptoms.
Supporting families as active participants in rehabilitation remains fundamental to achieving better long-term outcomes.
 
Understanding the impact of intensive care
 
Emerging research is beginning to explore Paediatric Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS-p).
Time spent in intensive care can itself have significant physical, emotional and cognitive effects which may add to the complexity of neurological rehabilitation.
 
Although more research currently exists in adults, increasing attention is being given to understanding how these issues affect children and young people following brain injury.
 
Vestibular difficulties may be more common than previously recognised.
 
Another important area discussed was vestibular dysfunction. It is likely that most of the brain-injured children at all levels of injury will have vestibular disturbance. This is not well recognised globally and can be long-lasting.
 
This may not present as a classical dizziness complaint and should be screened for, as it is often very treatable. There can be challenges to diagnosis in the very young and the most severely affected children.
 
Sleep is increasingly recognised as part of recovery.
 
Sleep was another recurring theme throughout the conference.
Children recovering from brain injury frequently experience disrupted sleep, especially during hospital admissions. There is growing recognition that poor sleep may have wider consequences for neurological recovery, emotional wellbeing and overall health.
 
Although further research is needed, sleep is increasingly recognised as a key component of recovery, neurological health, and well-being.
 
Technology and brain-computer interfaces
 
A fascinating area of discussion, full of exciting possibilities for research and clinical application was brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).
 
Although research in children currently lags behind adult services, presentations demonstrated how non-invasive technologies are already being used to promote engagement, communication and participation.
 
Non-invasive BCIs have been used to support education, social interaction, home-based tasks, and music and gaming.
 
These technologies offer exciting opportunities and are likely to become an increasingly important area of development over the coming years.
 
Children deserve the same pace of progress seen in adult rehabilitation.
 
A recurring theme was the disparity between advances in adult brain injury rehabilitation and what is currently available for children and young people.
 
The international paediatric community is acutely aware of this gap and is actively working to ensure that children benefit from the same pace of innovation and research.
 
There was a strong sense of optimism and shared purpose throughout the conference, with professionals across the globe committed to improving outcomes and advancing knowledge together.
 
Bringing global learning back into practice
 
Reflecting on the conference, Vicki told us,
 
“One of the most inspiring aspects of attending IPBIS was seeing how much agreement exists internationally about what good rehabilitation looks like. While healthcare systems, demographics and geography differ from country to country, there is a shared commitment to improving participation, supporting families and involving people with lived experience. It reinforces the importance of continuing to learn from colleagues across the world and bringing those insights back into our own practice."
 
Professional development and staying connected to international research are important parts of delivering high-quality case management. We would like to thank Vicki for taking the time to summarise what she learnt at this event. Conferences such as IPBIS provide valuable opportunities to reflect, challenge assumptions and ensure that children, young people and families continue to benefit from the very best evidence and emerging practice from around the world.