Cognitive-Communication Predictors of Employment Outcomes 1 and 5 Years Posttraumatic Brain Injury. Issue 3 (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Neil-Pirozzi, Therese M.; Lequerica, Anthony H.; Chiaravalloti, Nancy D.; Juengst, Shannon B.; Newman, Jody K.
• Other Names: Caplan Bruce section editor.; Bogner Jennifer section editor.; Brenner Lisa section editor.; Malec James section editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of head trauma rehabilitation. Volume 36:Issue 3(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: cognition -- communication -- comprehension -- employment -- expression -- memory -- problem solving -- return to work -- social interaction -- traumatic brain injury; Brain damage -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Brain damage -- Periodicals; 617.4810443
• DOI: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000641
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-9701

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To examine changes in functional memory, problem solving, comprehension, expression, and social communication over the first 2 years posttraumatic brain injury (TBI) and the ability of each to predict return to work (RTW) outcomes at 1 year and 5 years postinjury. Design: Secondary analysis of data from a multicenter longitudinal cohort study. Setting: Acute inpatient rehabilitation facilities and community follow-up. Participants: A total of 3543 individuals between 16 and 60 years of age who were competitively employed at the time of TBI and had completed year 1, year 2, and year 5 postinjury follow-ups. Main Outcome Measures: Year 1 and year 5 RTW status (± competitively employed) at the time of study completion. Results: Greater function across each of the 5 cognitive-communication abilities was associated with RTW success at 1 year and 5 years post-TBI. At discharge, these 5 abilities showed comparable odds of predicting later employment. At year 1 and year 2 follow-ups, independence with problem solving was the most predictive of employment 5 years post-TBI, followed by social interaction, memory, expression, and comprehension. Conclusions: An increased rehabilitation focus on functional memory, problem solving, comprehension, expression, and social interaction post-TBI has the potential to improve RTW outcomes. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.