Citation

Richardson C, McKay A, Ponsford JL. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 2014; 30(2): E43-54.

Affiliation

School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University (Ms Richardson, Dr Ponsford, and Dr McKay); Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth Hospital (Ms Richardson and Dr Ponsford); and Epworth Rehabilitation (Dr McKay), Melbourne, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/HTR.0000000000000048

PMID

24721809

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To examine self-awareness and injury-related, emotional and demographic factors across acute/subacute (3-12 months), medium-term (24-60 months), and long-term (120-240 months) time periods after traumatic brain injury (TBI), because unawareness of injury-related changes can affect engagement in rehabilitation and functional outcomes. PARTICIPANTS:: A total of 168 individuals with mild to severe TBI and 105 of their close others. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES:: Awareness Questionnaire (AQ) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

DESIGN:: Cross-sectional study.

RESULTS:: There were no significant differences in awareness as a function of time postinjury, except for the AQ motor/sensory domain wherein individuals with TBI at longer time periods displayed increased awareness of deficits than those at earlier time periods. Greater patient-other AQ discrepancy scores (interpreted as lower patient awareness) were associated with longer posttraumatic amnesia duration in the individual with TBI and also with increased self-reported depressive symptoms in the close others. Conversely, smaller AQ discrepancy scores (interpreted as better awareness) were associated with increased self-reported depressive symptoms by the individuals with TBI.

CONCLUSION:: This study highlights the limitations of using discrepancy scores to measure awareness, as ratings of injury-related changes are influenced by the mood of the individual with TBI and the close other, as well as by injury severity.

Language: en