Neuropsychological Testing and Functional Outcome for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury
ByBrian J. Leahy and Chow S.
Lam
Presented by:
James ReidElizabeth HughesArtesia McDanielMike Farrell
Traumatic Brain Injury as Measured by Performance on Neuropsychological Tests and Independent Living
Recent advances in medical technology has lead to significant growth in traumatic brain rehabilitation.Plan rehabilitation according to available resources.Increases in employment and communication skills is a high priority for patients.
Cont.
Family dynamics change as the injured person becomes a dependent on the rest of the family.Injury factors (coma, age) are associated with future employability.Correlations showed a significance in the tests given.
Participants
Adults admitted to a Midwestern brain injury rehab facility between 1991-1996Completed the standard administration of the neuropsychological assessment instruments involved in the studySubjects were available to be reached for a collection of follow up data one year to six months after discharge
Measures
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised(WAIS-R)Comprehensive memory assessment instrumentComprised of 8 subtests with five scoresWechsler Memory Scale(WMS-R)Used to evaluate patients memory
Measures
Stroop Color and Word TestConsists of three separate tasksThe task yields four scoresFour scores: attention/concentration, verbal memory, general memory and relayed recall
Procedure
Neuropsychological assessment test scores from initial admittance 6-12mo. after discharge data collected from the patients to determine levels of assistanceCurrent employment status and position
Results
3 sets of Dependent Variables:-Overall intellectual functioning (WAIS- R).-Memory (WMS-R)-Attentional Concentration (Stroop Color and Word Test)
Results cont.
Level of assistance received showed significant difference in overall intellectual functioning.p>.001, for employment status and overall intellectual functioningMemory and attentional concentration showed no significant difference b/w employment and level of assistance groups.
Results Cont.
Levels of assistance groups and employment groups scored significantly different on Stroop Color and Word Test.
Discussion
The use of neuropsychological test in predicting long-term outcome?No significant difference between employment or level of assistance groups found.Stroop Color and Word Test yield sig.
- but both test described as elemental in function.
Discussion Cont.
Generalizibility of sample? Is sample representative of general population.
-sample obtained from rehab. facility only!
-90% of sample Caucasian-83% male
Critical Review
Future research should refine the prediction models and continue developing interventions in rehabilitation settings to maximize functional outcome.Explore alternate sampling methods to include patients in which rehabilitation facilities are not a viable option.Obtain a representative sample
