Test Scores Appear Related to Productivity One Year Following Injury

Past Studies

Past Studies demonstrate that traumatic brain injuries can affect the way individuals think, act, and feel. Thinking skills and behavior problems can limit an individual’s productivity, including the ability to work or attend school. Clinicians use neuropsychological tests to assess the impact of brain injury on mental abilities. Predicting productivity loss and recovery is a very complex process. Past studies have shown that neuropsychological test scores taken early after an injury were somewhat predictive of future productivity. Studies are limited about the relationship between neuropsychological test scores taken at one year after injury and productivity. Such a relationship is important to know, as this is the time that neuropsychologists are frequently asked whether an individual can return to school or work.

This Study

This study analyzed information from the 17 Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems’ databases for 518 individuals. The individuals received traumatic brain injury inpatient rehabilitation. The researchers conducted a series of neuropsychological tests on the individuals one year from their injury date. At the time of their tests, the researchers asked if the individuals were employed or attending school.The researchers found that individuals’ neuropsychological test scores at one year following injury were related to their current productivity status. Further, the majority of individuals that were unable to complete the tests at one year following injury were not engaged in any productive activity. Individuals that were productive prior to their injury were 2.8 times more likely to be employed or in school compared to those who were not productive prior to their injuries.

Who May Be Affected By These Findings

Individuals with traumatic brain injuries and their loved ones, community integration specialists, rehabilitation personnel, researchers.

Caveats

The researchers state that there are other factors besides an individual’s ability to perform a job that affect employment. They suggest that future studies consider such factors as the economics of a region, availability of transportation to jobs, and the willingness of employers to hire individuals with disabilities.

Bottom Line

The researchers found that individuals’ neuropsychological test scores at one year following injury were related to their current productivity status. Individuals that were productive prior to their injury were 2.8 times more likely to be employed or in school compared to those who were not productive prior to their injuries.

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