Cognitive-communication predictors of employment outcomes 1 and 5 years posttraumatic brain injury

Therese M. O'Neil-Pirozzi, Anthony H. Lequerica, Nancy D. Chiaravalloti, Shannon B. Juengst, Jody K. Newman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To examine changes in functional memory, problem solving, comprehension, expression, and social communication over the first 2 years posttraumatic brain injury (TBI) and the ability of each to predict return to work (RTW) outcomes at 1 year and 5 years postinjury. Design: Secondary analysis of data from a multicenter longitudinal cohort study. Setting: Acute inpatient rehabilitation facilities and community follow-up. Participants: A total of 3543 individuals between 16 and 60 years of age who were competitively employed at the time of TBI and had completed year 1, year 2, and year 5 postinjury follow-ups. Main Outcome Measures: Year 1 and year 5 RTW status (± competitively employed) at the time of study completion. Results: Greater function across each of the 5 cognitive-communication abilities was associated with RTW success at 1 year and 5 years post-TBI. At discharge, these 5 abilities showed comparable odds of predicting later employment. At year 1 and year 2 followups, independence with problem solving was the most predictive of employment 5 years post-TBI, followed by social interaction, memory, expression, and comprehension. Conclusions: An increased rehabilitation focus on functional memory, problem solving, comprehension, expression, and social interaction post-TBI has the potential to improve RTW outcomes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)196-204
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation
Volume36
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2021

Keywords

  • Cognition
  • Communication
  • Comprehension
  • Employment
  • Expression
  • Memory
  • Problem solving
  • Return to work
  • Social interaction
  • Traumatic brain injury

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation
  • Clinical Neurology

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