Alice Theadom1, Suzanne Barker-Collo2, Kelly Jones3, Michael Kahan4, Braden Te Ao5, Kathryn McPherson6, Nicola Starkey7, Valery Feigin3. 1. National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neuroscience, School of Public Health & Psychosocial Studies, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand. Electronic address: alice.theadom@aut.ac.nz. 2. School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. 3. National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neuroscience, School of Public Health & Psychosocial Studies, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand. 4. Waikato Occupational Services, Hamilton, New Zealand. 5. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Psychosocial Studies, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland. 6. Health Research Council of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand. 7. School of Psychology, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore employment status, work limitations, and productivity loss after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Inception cohort study over 4 years. SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (N=245; >16y at the time of injury) who experienced a mild TBI and who were employed prior to their injury. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Details of the injury, demographic information, and preinjury employment status were collected from medical records and self-report. Symptoms and mood were assessed 1 month postinjury using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptom Questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Postinjury employment status and work productivity were assessed 4 years postinjury using the Work Limitations Questionnaire. RESULTS: Four years after mild TBI, 17.3% of participants had exited the workforce (other than for reasons of retirement or to study) or had reduced their working hours compared with preinjury. A further 15.5% reported experiencing limitations at work because of their injury. Average work productivity loss was 3.6%. The symptom of taking longer to think 1 month postinjury significantly predicted work productivity loss 4 years later (β=.47, t=3.79, P≤.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although changes in employment status and difficulties at work are likely over time, the results indicate increased unemployment rates, work limitations, and productivity loss in the longer term after a mild TBI. Identification of cognitive difficulties 1 month after TBI in working aged adults and subsequent interventions to address these difficulties are required to facilitate work productivity.
OBJECTIVE: To explore employment status, work limitations, and productivity loss after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Inception cohort study over 4 years. SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (N=245; >16y at the time of injury) who experienced a mild TBI and who were employed prior to their injury. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Details of the injury, demographic information, and preinjury employment status were collected from medical records and self-report. Symptoms and mood were assessed 1 month postinjury using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptom Questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Postinjury employment status and work productivity were assessed 4 years postinjury using the Work Limitations Questionnaire. RESULTS: Four years after mild TBI, 17.3% of participants had exited the workforce (other than for reasons of retirement or to study) or had reduced their working hours compared with preinjury. A further 15.5% reported experiencing limitations at work because of their injury. Average work productivity loss was 3.6%. The symptom of taking longer to think 1 month postinjury significantly predicted work productivity loss 4 years later (β=.47, t=3.79, P≤.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although changes in employment status and difficulties at work are likely over time, the results indicate increased unemployment rates, work limitations, and productivity loss in the longer term after a mild TBI. Identification of cognitive difficulties 1 month after TBI in working aged adults and subsequent interventions to address these difficulties are required to facilitate work productivity.
Authors: Joan Machamer; Nancy Temkin; Sureyya Dikmen; Lindsay D Nelson; Jason Barber; Phillip Hwang; Kim Boase; Murray B Stein; Xiaoying Sun; Joseph Giacino; Michael A McCrea; Sabrina R Taylor; Sonia Jain; Geoff Manley Journal: J Neurotrauma Date: 2022-02-09 Impact factor: 5.269
Authors: Heidi Jeannet Graff; Volkert Siersma; Anne Møller; Jakob Kragstrup; Lars L Andersen; Ingrid Egerod; Hana Malá Rytter Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-04-11 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Heidi Jeannet Graff; Volkert Siersma; Anne Møller; Jakob Kragstrup; Lars L Andersen; Ingrid Egerod; Hana Malá Rytter Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-04-11 Impact factor: 2.692