@article{ref1,
title="Relationship between processing speed and executive functioning performance among OEF/OIF veterans: implications for postdeployment rehabilitation",
journal="Journal of head trauma rehabilitation",
year="2009",
author="Nelson, Lonnie A. and Yoash-Gantz, Ruth E. and Pickett, Treven C. and Campbell, Thomas A.",
volume="24",
number="1",
pages="32-40",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Comorbid mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common clinical presentation among troops returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). This study examined processing speed and executive functioning in a sample of OEF/OIF veterans who had sustained mTBI, a subset of whom also had comorbid PTSD. METHODS: Fifty-three OEF/OIF veterans with a history of mTBI completed Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III Symbol Search and Digit Symbol-Coding subscales, Stroop Word, color and color-word trials, and Trail Making Test, Parts A and B as part of a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. RESULTS: Excluding from analysis those who scored poorly on effort testing, multiple regression showed that measures of processing speed accounted for 43% of the variance in performance on the Trail Making Test, Part B and 50% of the variance in performance on the Stroop task. Significant differences in processing speed and executive functioning were found on the basis of presence of comorbid PTSD. Stroop Color (F = 9.27, df = 52, P<.004) and Stroop Color Word (F = 7.19, df = 52, P<.01) scores differed significantly between the groups. Those having comorbid PTSD (+TBI/+PTSD) scored significantly poorer than the mTBI-only group (+TBI/-PTSD). Implications for treatment of the comorbid conditions are discussed.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0885-9701",
doi="10.1097/HTR.0b013e3181957016",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/HTR.0b013e3181957016"
}