Utilizing neuropsychological measures to predict vocational outcome in a head trauma population

Abstract

The present study examined the ability of traditional neuropsychological measures to predict successful vocational training in a severely neurologically impaired population. Eighty head trauma patients were evaluated prior to pre-vocational training which involved cognitive remediation and psychosocially-based intervention. Subjects were approximately 2 years post-injury. Results showed that of the total population studies, 73.8% participated in vocational evaluations, 23.8% did not, and 2.4% of the sample returned to work or college. Neuropsychological assessments were over 77% accurate in predicting whether subjects would successfully complete this vocational evaluation. The most significant predictors were reading comprehension, immediate and delayed verbal memory, level of depression, and dysphasic symptomatology. Issues relating to generalizability of cognitive retraining to the vocational evaluation and/or vocational training setting are discussed. Future considerations for both clinical practice and research include the use of ecologically valid measures.

Treating reading comprehension deficits in sub-acute brain injury rehabilitation: Identifying clinical practice and management

“…Reading comprehension was also a predictor of positive outcomes in vocational ABI rehabilitation, and the highest predictor from a range of neuro-psychological assessments of whether participants received a vocational evaluation 24 . As reading comprehension may predict success in ABI rehabilitation 21,24 , rehabilitation programs that use literacy-based interventions may impact the participation of pwABI with reading deficits 21 and possibly influence their rehabilitation outcomes.…”

A Multidisciplinary Evaluation of Traumatic Brain Injury: Early Predictors of Outcome

“…Disordered balance following TBI has been reported in the literature, but has been defined in multiple contexts, including deficits of motor performance, subjective complaints of dizziness and disorientation, and/or the results of laboratory or other subjective tests. These symptoms are present in as many as 70% of people following TBI (Black et al 2000) and often result in long term functional deficits in stability and the ability to work and interact in the normal environment (Ropper & Gorson, 2007; Basford et al, 2003Black et al, 2000Ryan et al, 1992). Balance, neurocognition, and coordination are important components of clinical assessment because they are indicators of long term outcomes and fall risk following TBI (Mullin et al, 2002).…”

“…Balance disturbances, neuropsychological compromise, and impaired coordination are common complaints following MTBI (ICD-10 International Classification of Diseases, 10 th ed; Ryan, 1992). Disordered balance following TBI has been reported in the literature, but has been defined in multiple contexts, including deficits of motor performance, subjective complaints of dizziness and disorientation, and/or the results of laboratory or other subjective tests.…”

Internal Memory Rehabilitation Strategies in the Context of Post-acute Brain Injury: A Pilot Study

“…Memory impairment can be an obstacle to successful return to work and may even interfere with successful rehabilitation [6]. Individuals with TBI and their family members report post-injury memory deficits as one of the most persistent problems following a TBI [7].…”

“…Even after one year, 4% to 25% of TBI patients show some form of memory impairment [3]. The prevalence of memory dysfunction post-stroke varies from 23% to 55% in the first 3 months and at one year post-stroke, declines to between 11% and 31% percent [4,5].Memory impairment can be an obstacle to successful return to work and may even interfere with successful rehabilitation [6]. Individuals with TBI and their family members report post-injury memory deficits as one of the most persistent problems following a TBI [7].…”