Neuropsychological recovery during the first 12 months after severe traumatic brain injury: A longitudinal study with monthly assessments. Issue 7 (9th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schultz, Regina; Tate, Robyn L.; Perdices, Michael
• Is Part Of: Neuropsychological rehabilitation. Volume 32:Issue 7(2022)
• Page Start: 1291
• Page End: 1323
• Publication Date: 2022-08-09
• Subjects: Traumatic brain injury -- Cognition disorders -- Neuropsychological recovery -- Practice effects -- Psychometric tests; Brain damage -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Clinical neuropsychology -- Periodicals; 617.4810443
• DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2021.1882507
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-2011

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Neuropsychologists are commonly asked practical questions about cognitive recovery in the first year following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), however guiding evidence to provide answers is limited. The design of this longitudinal study rectifies methodological problems in the literature by taking serial assessments on a monthly basis from 3- to 12-months post-trauma in a severe TBI sample ( n = 23), and using four alternate forms of a brief yet sensitive cognitive assessment battery. Fifteen variables sampling seven cognitive domains were used: orientation, attention, processing speed, executive function, memory, language and visuospatial function. A matched control group ( n = 23) was used to establish equivalence of the four alternate forms (no statistically significant differences), document practice effects (no statistically significant differences), and provide a comparison standard of cognitive functioning against which to interpret the TBI recovery curves. Twenty-one of 23 consenting TBI participants continued with the serial assessments. Hierarchical growth model analyses typically revealed linear recovery trajectories over the first 12 months. However, by 12-months post-trauma, a significant proportion (up to 36%) had residual mild to severe impairments in various cognitive domains. These results provide detailed information about patterns of cognitive recovery that also have direct clinical application.