Cognitive and behavioral outcomes from traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI) dépends on many factors, including severity of injury. Research has demonstrated a dose-response relationship between TBI severity and cognitive outcomes, with more severe deficits associated with increasingly severe injuries. Additionally, changes in psychological functioning, behavior, and participation in the community may be sequelae of TBI. This chapter focuses on recovery and outcomes from TBI, including mild, mild-complicated, and moderate-to- severe, as well as mitigating factors, such as demographics and premorbid factors, psychological comorbidities, type of injury, repeated concussions, and financial incentives. Outcome prediction is essential for planning rehabilitation goals, patient and family education about long-term changes, and identifying necessity of future assistance. This task is made challeng- ing by the additional influence of factors such as premorbid functioning, type and severity of injury, and other situational factors.