BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of cognitive reserve in recovery after a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Different authors proposed that this construct might account for the mismatch between TBI severity, its clinical expression, and subsequent recovery. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Eighty-four patients who sustained moderate-to-severe TBI participated in the study. Participants were divided into a high cognitive reserve group (n=46) or low cognitive reserve group (n=38) based on premorbid educational and occupational attainment. Patient's functional status was examined with the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in demographic and injury variables (sex, age, severity of injury, post-traumatic amnesia duration, and time since injury). The analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the 2 groups on the PCRS: The high cognitive reserve group scored better than the low cognitive reserve group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that cognitive reserve may mediate recovery after a moderate or severe TBI. Educational and occupational attainments provide a cognitive provision that would be associated with better functional status after injury.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of cognitive reserve in recovery after a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Different authors proposed that this construct might account for the mismatch between TBI severity, its clinical expression, and subsequent recovery. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Eighty-four patients who sustained moderate-to-severe TBI participated in the study. Participants were divided into a high cognitive reserve group (n=46) or low cognitive reserve group (n=38) based on premorbid educational and occupational attainment. Patient's functional status was examined with the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in demographic and injury variables (sex, age, severity of injury, post-traumatic amnesia duration, and time since injury). The analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the 2 groups on the PCRS: The high cognitive reserve group scored better than the low cognitive reserve group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that cognitive reserve may mediate recovery after a moderate or severe TBI. Educational and occupational attainments provide a cognitive provision that would be associated with better functional status after injury.
Authors: Kayla A Steward; Richard Kennedy; Thomas A Novack; Michael Crowe; Daniel C Marson; Kristen L Triebel Journal: J Head Trauma Rehabil Date: 2018 Jan/Feb Impact factor: 2.710