title: Anxiety as a primary predictor of functional impairment after acquired brain injury: a brief report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cognitive and emotional symptoms are primary causes of long-term functional impairment after acquired brain injury (ABI). Although the occurrence of post-ABI emotional difficulties is well-documented, most investigators have focused on the impact of depression on functioning after ABI, with few examining the role of anxiety. Knowledge of the latter's impact is essential for optimal treatment planning in neurorehabilitation settings. The purpose of the present study is therefore to examine the predictive relationships between cognition, anxiety, and functional impairment in an ABI sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple regression analyses were conducted with a sample of 54 outpatients with ABI. Predictors selected from an archival data set included standardized neuropsychological measures and Beck Anxiety Inventory scores. Dependent variables were caregiver ratings of functional impairments in the Affective/Behavioral, Cognitive, and Physical/Dependency domains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anxiety predicted a significant proportion of the variance in caregiver-assessed real-life affective/behavioral and cognitive functioning. In contrast, objective neuropsychological test scores did not contribute to the variance in functional impairment. Neither anxiety nor neuropsychological test scores significantly predicted impairment in everyday physical/dependency function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings support the role of anxiety in influencing functional outcome post-ABI and suggest the necessity of addressing symptoms of anxiety as an essential component of treatment in outpatient neurorehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Hilary C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Bertisch
authors.forename: Coralynn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Donna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Langenbahn
authors.forename: Joseph F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Rath
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Diller
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ashman
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires