OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors contributing to deficit in self-awareness following acquired brain injury and to study change in self-awareness during a group support program. METHODS: Sixty-two patients (mean age: 35.4 +/- 15.3 years) attending our Service (295 +/- 525 days after injury) were included in the study (41 of them had sustained a head injury). Thirty-six patients were admitted to a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program including a group support program designed to improve self-awareness deficits. All patients were assessed with the Patient Competency Rating Scale as a measure of self-awareness and with a broad range of neuropsychological tests, checklists of psychopathological symptoms, and several functional scales. RESULTS: Thirty patients showed high levels of self-awareness while 32 showed impaired self-awareness. Patients with appropriate perception of their deficits showed less psychopathological symptoms, better neuropsychological function and higher functional independence than those with impaired SA (Student's t test, p < 0.05). Both groups improved, but with different patterns, after rehabilitation (MANOVA, p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that cognitive status was predictive of level of self-awareness. CONCLUSION: The level of self-awareness after acquired brain injury is a useful prognostic index of the neuropsychological, psychopathological and functional status of the patient. We recommend the evaluation of this symptom after acquired brain injury due to its clinical relevance.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors contributing to deficit in self-awareness following acquired brain injury and to study change in self-awareness during a group support program. METHODS: Sixty-two patients (mean age: 35.4 +/- 15.3 years) attending our Service (295 +/- 525 days after injury) were included in the study (41 of them had sustained a head injury). Thirty-six patients were admitted to a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program including a group support program designed to improve self-awareness deficits. All patients were assessed with the Patient Competency Rating Scale as a measure of self-awareness and with a broad range of neuropsychological tests, checklists of psychopathological symptoms, and several functional scales. RESULTS: Thirty patients showed high levels of self-awareness while 32 showed impaired self-awareness. Patients with appropriate perception of their deficits showed less psychopathological symptoms, better neuropsychological function and higher functional independence than those with impaired SA (Student's t test, p < 0.05). Both groups improved, but with different patterns, after rehabilitation (MANOVA, p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that cognitive status was predictive of level of self-awareness. CONCLUSION: The level of self-awareness after acquired brain injury is a useful prognostic index of the neuropsychological, psychopathological and functional status of the patient. We recommend the evaluation of this symptom after acquired brain injury due to its clinical relevance.
Authors: J Vilalta-Franch; M Lozano-Gallego; M Hernández-Ferrándiz; J Llinàs-Reglà; S López-Pousa; O L López Journal: Rev Neurol Date: 1999 Jul 1-15 Impact factor: 0.870
Authors: Mark Sherer; Tessa Hart; Todd G Nick; John Whyte; Risa Nakase Thompson; Stuart A Yablon Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2003-02 Impact factor: 3.966
Authors: Doreen Hoerold; Paul M Dockree; Fiadhnait M O'Keeffe; Helen Bates; Maria Pertl; Ian H Robertson Journal: Exp Brain Res Date: 2008-03-14 Impact factor: 1.972