Correct information unit analysis for determining the characteristics of narrative discourse in individuals with chronic traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate differences between individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a control group regarding quantitative characteristics of narrative discourse including correct information units (CIUs). The secondary objective was to explore cognitive correlations with narrative discourse measurements.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Twenty-six individuals with TBI and 24 age-, gender- and education-matched subjects without brain injury were examined. Four-frame comic strips were used for elicitation of narrative discourse. Six variables of discourse measurements (total time, total number of units and CIUs, units per time, CIUs per time and CIUs per unit) were calculated. The relationships between the 6 discourse measurements and results of standard cognitive tests were also examined, including logical memory, working memory and executive functions.


RESULTS
The time efficiency for narrative discourse (i.e. total time, units per time and CIUs per time) was significantly decreased in the TBI group. Moreover, time efficiency was significantly related to measurements of working memory and executive function. The TBI group did not differ from the control group with regard to total number of units and CIUs and CIUs per unit.


CONCLUSIONS
Decreased time efficiency is the most critical characteristic of narrative discourse in individuals with TBI.
Kamata TERAKOYA, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Japan. keiko_matsuoka@nifty.ne.jp
Keiko
K
Matsuoka
Izumi
I
Kotani
Michihiko
M
Yamasato
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D020208:Brain Injury, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014705:Verbal Behavior