Self-report of extent of recovery and barriers to recovery after traumatic brain injury: a longitudinal study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the perspective of survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) regarding the extent and nature of their recovery over time.


METHODS
Inception cohort, longitudinal study.


METHODS
Level I trauma center.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-seven consecutively hospitalized individuals with TBI (mean age, 36.1 yr; 80% men) with a broad range of injury severity.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Participants reported the extent of their recovery and barriers to full recovery at 1, 6, and 12 months.


RESULTS
Participants reported a median return to normal at the 3 follow-up times of 65%, 80%, and 85%. After 1 month, self-reported extent of recovery correlated well with performance on the Glasgow Outcome Scale (p <.001 at 6 and 12 mo) and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Performance IQ (p =.001 at 12 mo). The major reported barrier to recovery was physical difficulties, which constituted over half of the concerns at all time periods. Report of physical-related concerns decreased significantly (p =.002) over time whereas cognition-related concerns increased significantly (p =.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Brain injury survivors consider themselves to have greater recovery than previously reported by clinicians or family members, consider physical problems a significant factor in their recovery, and appear to become more aware of cognitive impairments over time.
Powell
J M
JM
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195-6490, USA. jmpowell@u.washington.edu
Machamer
J E
JE
Temkin
N R
NR
Dikmen
S S
SS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001364:Awareness; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014193:Trauma Centers