Traumatic brain injury (TBI) 10-20 years later: a comprehensive outcome study of psychiatric symptomatology, cognitive abilities and psychosocial functioning
D. Hoofien et al., Traumatic brain injury (TBI) 10-20 years later: a comprehensive outcome study of psychiatric symptomatology, cognitive abilities and psychosocial functioning, BRAIN INJUR, 15(3), 2001, pp. 189-209
The goal of this study was to measure the very long- term mental and psycho
social outcomes of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Seventy- six person
s with severe TBI were evaluated extensively by means of standardized scale
s, neuropsychological tests and evaluations by family members, at an averag
e of 14.1 (SD = 5.5) years post- injury. Six mental and functional domains
were examined: psychiatric symptomatology, cognitive abilities, vocational
status, family integration, social functioning, and independence in daily r
outines. The findings indicate a long- term differential effect of severe T
BI, with seriously affected psychiatric symptomatology, family and social d
omains, as compared to moderately influenced cognitive, vocational and inde
pendent functioning. Relatively high rates of depression, psychomotor slown
ess, loneliness and family members' sense of burden were found. In addition
to their epidemiological importance, the results indicate that persons wit
h TBI and their families may need professional assistance to maintain a rea
sonable psychosocial quality of life, even more than a decade post- injury.