Prediction of long-term occupational performance outcomes for adults after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To examine predictors of long-term occupational performance outcomes for adults after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).


METHODS
This study involved analysis of data from a retrospective cohort of adults (N = 306) with moderate to severe TBI discharged from a Pennsylvania rehabilitation treatment facility. Extensive pre-injury sociodemographic, injury-severity, post-injury personal (cognitive, physical, affective), post-injury environmental (social, institutional, physical), and post-injury occupational performance (participation in self-care, productivity, leisure activities) data were gathered from hospital records and using in-person interviews. Interviews occurred at a mean time of 14 (range, 7-24) years post-injury. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to investigate determinants of long-term occupational performance outcomes.


RESULTS
Pre-injury behavioural problems, male gender, post-injury cognitive and physical deficits, and lack of access to transportation were significant independent predictors of worse occupational performance outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
The study supports the use of a comprehensive model for long-term outcomes after TBI where pre-injury characteristics and post-injury cognitive and physical characteristics account for the greatest proportion of explained variance.
Devitt
R
R
Arthritis Community Research and Evaluation Unit, Toronto, Canada.
Colantonio
A
A
Dawson
D
D
Teare
G
G
Ratcliff
G
G
Chase
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation