Reliability and validation of the Japanese version of the coma recovery scale-revised (CRS-R)

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to verify the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R).

METHODS

Subjects included 59 patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) due to acquired brain injury. To validate test-retest reliability, Evaluator A assessed the CRS-R twice on the same day (A1, A2). To examine inter-rater reliability, Evaluators A (A2) and B (B) assessed the CRS-R without a time interval. To test concurrent validity, Evaluator A (A1) assessed the CRS-R, Japan Coma Scale (JCS), and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) consecutively. To validate diagnostic accuracy, we evaluated the degree of agreement between A1 and A2 and between A2 and B in their diagnosis of DOC by CRS-R.

RESULTS

The test-retest (ρ = 0.92) and inter- (ρ = 0.98) reliability of CRS-R were excellent" and Concurrent validity of CRS-R with JCS (ρ =  -0.82) and GCS (ρ = 0.92) were high. Results of DOC diagnosis were consistent for 48/59 cases (κ = 0.82) for A1 and A2 and for 54/59 cases (κ = 0.92) for A2 and B.

CONLCUSION

The Japanese version of the CRS-R may be as reliable and valid as the original English and other language versions.

Proceedings of the Second Curing Coma Campaign NIH Symposium: Challenging the Future of Research for Coma and Disorders of Consciousness

This proceedings article presents actionable research targets on the basis of the presentations and discussions at the 2nd Curing Coma National Institutes of Health (NIH) symposium held from May 3 to May 5, 2021. Here, we summarize the background, research priorities, panel discussions, and deliverables discussed during the symposium across six major domains related to disorders of consciousness. The six domains include (1) Biology of Coma, (2) Coma Database, (3) Neuroprognostication, (4) Care of Comatose Patients, (5) Early Clinical Trials, and (6) Long-term Recovery. Following the 1st Curing Coma NIH virtual symposium held on September 9 to September 10, 2020, six workgroups, each consisting of field experts in respective domains, were formed and tasked with identifying gaps and developing key priorities and deliverables to advance the mission of the Curing Coma Campaign. The highly interactive and inspiring presentations and panel discussions during the 3-day virtual NIH symposium identified several action items for the Curing Coma Campaign mission, which we summarize in this article.

Spaulding REhabilitation and COVid Recovery study (RECOVR): Preliminary Findings at 6 Months

Research Objectives

To identify distinct post-acute COVID-19 phenotypes among adults hospitalized for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and describe multidimensional outcomes at 6 months post-hospitalization.

Design

Prospective, longitudinal data collection in functional, physical, cognitive, and psychological domains at 3, 6, and 12 months post-hospitalization. Retrospective data collection from the acute care and post-acute care settings.

Setting

Acute care and post-acute telephone follow-up.

Participants

Spanish- and English-speaking adults, with decision-making capacity, admitted for inpatient rehabilitation following inpatient hospitalization for acute COVID-19 related illness (N = 52).

Interventions

N/A.

Main Outcome Measures

Physical, cognitive, and psychological symptoms; Self-reported employment status and assistance with ADLs.

Results

Median age was 60.96 (IQR = 20.89), with race/ethnicity representative of the US adult population (71% White; 13% Black; 27% Hispanic). Compared to premorbid status, 33% of individuals were no longer employed full-time and 23% were no longer independent in basic ADLs. Latent profile analysis identified distinct subgroups within physical, cognitive, and emotional domains of functioning. Approximately 31% were in either the moderately or most symptomatic groups for both cognitive and emotional functioning, with 88% of these also falling into the most symptomatic group for physical functioning. There were 29% in the least symptomatic group across all domains.

Conclusions

Persons with severe COVID-19 illness experience persistent functional limitations that interfere with employment and ADLs up to 6 months post-hospitalization. Although symptom variability is high at 6 months, we identified distinct subgroups, including those with co-occurring emotional and cognitive symptoms, that suggest the need for comprehensive assessment and tailored treatment for physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms.

Author(s) Disclosures

The author's declare no relevant conflict of interests.

Diagnosing Level of Consciousness: The Limits of the Glasgow Coma Scale Total Score

In nearly all clinical and research contexts, the initial severity of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is measured using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) total score. However, the GCS total score may not accurately reflect level of consciousness, a critical indicator of injury severity. We investigated the relationship between GCS total scores and level of consciousness in a consecutive sample of 2,455 adult subjects assessed with the GCS 69,487 times as part of the multi-center Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in TBI (TRACK-TBI) study. We assigned each GCS subscale score combination a level of consciousness rating based upon published criteria for the following disorders of consciousness (DoC) diagnoses: coma, vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, minimally conscious state, and post-traumatic confusional state, and present our findings using summary statistics and four illustrative cases. Participants had the following characteristics: mean (standard deviation) age 41.9 (17.6) years, 69% male, initial GCS 3-8=13%; 9-12=5%; 13-15=82%. All GCS total scores between 4-14 were associated with more than one DoC diagnosis; the greatest variability was observed for scores of 7-11. Furthermore, a wide range of total scores were associated with identical DoC diagnoses. Importantly, a diagnosis of coma was only possible with GCS total scores of 3-6. The GCS total score does not accurately reflect level of consciousness based on published DoC diagnostic criteria. To improve the classification of patients with TBI and to inform the design of future clinical trials, clinicians and investigators should consider individual subscale behaviors and more comprehensive assessments when evaluating TBI severity.

Participation After Traumatic Brain Injury: Disparities by Household Income Groups

Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations.

Participation is the overarching goal of neurorehabilitation and OT interventions. Despite this emphasis on participation, evidence suggests that people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have poor participation. It is clear that socioeconomic status has a relationship with other health outcomes, but little is known about its relationship with participation after TBI. The objective of this research was to examine disparities in participation after TBI between household income groups.

Primary Author and Speaker: Alyssa M. Taubert

Additional Authors and Speakers: Kimberly Erler

Contributing Authors: Joseph G. Giacino, Michael Bergin, Amber Thomas, andYelena Bodien

Pathological Computed Tomography Features Associated With Adverse Outcomes After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study With External Validation in CENTER-TBI

Question

Are different patterns of intracranial injury on head computed tomography associated with prognosis after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)?

Findings

In this cohort study, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, and contusion often co-occurred and were associated with both incomplete recovery and more severe impairment out to 12 months after injury, while intraventricular and/or petechial hemorrhage co-occurred and were associated with more severe impairment up to 12 months after injury; epidural hematoma was associated with incomplete recovery at some points but not with more severe impairment. Some intracranial hemorrhage patterns were more strongly associated with outcomes than previously validated demographic and clinical variables.

Meaning

In this study, different pathological features on head computed tomography carried different implications for mild traumatic brain injury prognosis to 1 year.

Importance

A head computed tomography (CT) with positive results for acute intracranial hemorrhage is the gold-standard diagnostic biomarker for acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). In moderate to severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] scores 3-12), some CT features have been shown to be associated with outcomes. In mild TBI (mTBI; GCS scores 13-15), distribution and co-occurrence of pathological CT features and their prognostic importance are not well understood.

Objective

To identify pathological CT features associated with adverse outcomes after mTBI.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The longitudinal, observational Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury (TRACK-TBI) study enrolled patients with TBI, including those 17 years and older with GCS scores of 13 to 15 who presented to emergency departments at 18 US level 1 trauma centers between February 26, 2014, and August 8, 2018, and underwent head CT imaging within 24 hours of TBI. Evaluations of CT imaging used TBI Common Data Elements. Glasgow Outcome Scale–Extended (GOSE) scores were assessed at 2 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months postinjury. External validation of results was performed via the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study. Data analyses were completed from February 2020 to February 2021.

Exposures

Acute nonpenetrating head trauma.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Frequency, co-occurrence, and clustering of CT features; incomplete recovery (GOSE scores <8 vs 8); and an unfavorable outcome (GOSE scores <5 vs ≥5) at 2 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results

In 1935 patients with mTBI (mean [SD] age, 41.5 [17.6] years; 1286 men [66.5%]) in the TRACK-TBI cohort and 2594 patients with mTBI (mean [SD] age, 51.8 [20.3] years; 1658 men [63.9%]) in an external validation cohort, hierarchical cluster analysis identified 3 major clusters of CT features: contusion, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and/or subdural hematoma; intraventricular and/or petechial hemorrhage; and epidural hematoma. Contusion, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and/or subdural hematoma features were associated with incomplete recovery (odds ratios [ORs] for GOSE scores <8 at 1 year: TRACK-TBI, 1.80 [95% CI, 1.39-2.33]; CENTER-TBI, 2.73 [95% CI, 2.18-3.41]) and greater degrees of unfavorable outcomes (ORs for GOSE scores <5 at 1 year: TRACK-TBI, 3.23 [95% CI, 1.59-6.58]; CENTER-TBI, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.13-2.49]) out to 12 months after injury, but epidural hematoma was not. Intraventricular and/or petechial hemorrhage was associated with greater degrees of unfavorable outcomes up to 12 months after injury (eg, OR for GOSE scores <5 at 1 year in TRACK-TBI: 3.47 [95% CI, 1.66-7.26]). Some CT features were more strongly associated with outcomes than previously validated variables (eg, ORs for GOSE scores <5 at 1 year in TRACK-TBI: neuropsychiatric history, 1.43 [95% CI .98-2.10] vs contusion, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and/or subdural hematoma, 3.23 [95% CI 1.59-6.58]). Findings were externally validated in 2594 patients with mTBI enrolled in the CENTER-TBI study.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, pathological CT features carried different prognostic implications after mTBI to 1 year postinjury. Some patterns of injury were associated with worse outcomes than others. These results support that patients with mTBI and these CT features need TBI-specific education and systematic follow-up.

Association of Sex and Age With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury-Related Symptoms: A TRACK-TBI Study

IMPORTANCE

Knowledge of differences in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) recovery by sex and age may inform individualized treatment of these patients.

OBJECTIVE

To identify sex-related differences in symptom recovery from mTBI; secondarily, to explore age differences within women, who demonstrate poorer outcomes after TBI.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The prospective cohort study Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury (TRACK-TBI) recruited 2000 patients with mTBI from February 26, 2014, to July 3, 2018, and 299 patients with orthopedic trauma (who served as controls) from January 26, 2016, to July 27, 2018. Patients were recruited from 18 level I trauma centers and followed up for 12 months. Data were analyzed from August 19, 2020, to March 3, 2021.

EXPOSURES

Patients with mTBI (defined by a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13-15) triaged to head computed tomography in 24 hours or less; patients with orthopedic trauma served as controls.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Measured outcomes included (1) the Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ), a 16-item self-report scale that assesses postconcussion symptom severity over the past 7 days relative to preinjury; (2) the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) (PCL-5), a 20-item test that measures the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms; (3) the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a 9-item scale that measures depression based on symptom frequency over the past 2 weeks; and (4) the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), an 18-item scale of psychological distress (split into Depression and Anxiety subscales).

RESULTS

A total of 2000 patients with mTBI (1331 men [67%; mean (SD) age, 41.0 (17.3) years; 1026 White (78%)] and 669 women [33%; mean (SD) age, 43.0 (18.5) years; 505 (76%) White]). After adjustment of multiple comparisons, significant TBI × sex interactions were observed for cognitive symptoms (B = 0.76; 5% false discovery rate-corrected P = .02) and somatic RPQ symptoms (B = 0.80; 5% false discovery rate-corrected P = .02), with worse symptoms in women with mTBI than men, but no sex difference in symptoms in control patients with orthopedic trauma. Within the female patients evaluated, there was a significant TBI × age interaction for somatic RPQ symptoms, which were worse in female patients with mTBI aged 35 to 49 years compared with those aged 17 to 34 years (B = 1.65; P = .02) or older than 50 years (B = 1.66; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This study found that women were more vulnerable than men to persistent mTBI-related cognitive and somatic symptoms, whereas no sex difference in symptom burden was seen after orthopedic injury. Postconcussion symptoms were also worse in women aged 35 to 49 years than in younger and older women, but further investigation is needed to corroborate these findings and to identify the mechanisms involved. Results suggest that individualized clinical management of mTBI should consider sex and age, as some women are especially predisposed to chronic postconcussion symptoms even 12 months after injury.

Behavioral and electrophysiological effects of network-based frontoparietal tDCS in patients with severe brain injury: A randomized controlled trial

•

Behavioral and EEG effects of multifocal frontoparietal tDCS are investigated in patients with severe brain injury.

•

No behavioral treatment effect was identified at the group level while EEG complexity increased in low frequency bands.

•

Electrophysiological changes were not translated into behavioral changes at the group level.

Background

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may promote the recovery of severely brain-injured patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC). Prior tDCS studies targeted single brain regions rather than brain networks critical for consciousness recovery.

Objective

Investigate the behavioral and electrophysiological effects of multifocal tDCS applied over the frontoparietal external awareness network in patients with chronic acquired DOC.

Methods

Forty-six patients were included in this randomized double-blind sham-controlled crossover trial (median [interquartile range]: 46 [35 – 59] years old; 12 [5 – 47] months post injury; 17 unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, 23 minimally conscious state (MCS) and 6 emerged from the MCS). Multifocal tDCS was applied for 20 min using 4 anodes and 4 cathodes with 1 mA per electrode. Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) assessment and 10 min of resting state electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were acquired before and after the active and sham sessions.

Results

At the group level, there was no tDCS behavioral treatment effect. However, following active tDCS, the EEG complexity significantly increased in low frequency bands (1–8 Hz). CRS-R total score improvement was associated with decreased baseline complexity in those bands. At the individual level, after active tDCS, new behaviors consistent with conscious awareness emerged in 5 patients. Conversely, 3 patients lost behaviors consistent with conscious awareness.

Conclusion

The behavioral effect of multifocal frontoparietal tDCS varies across patients with DOC. Electrophysiological changes were observed in low frequency bands but not translated into behavioral changes at the group level.

Temporal Profile of Recovery of Communication in Patients With Disorders of Consciousness After Severe Brain Injury

OBJECTIVE

Characterize the temporal profile of recovery of communication after severe brain injury.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with severe acquired brain injury and no evidence of communication on the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) (N=175).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Time from injury to recovery of intentional communication (IC, inconsistent yes/no responses) and functional communication (FC, consistent and accurate yes/no responses) on the CRS-R Communication subscale.

RESULTS

Patients (N=175) were included in the primary observation period of the first 8 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation (median [interquartile range, IQR]: 48 [27-61] years old, 105 men, 28 [21-38] days postinjury, 100 traumatic etiology). Fifty-four patients (31%) did not recover IC or FC. Thirty patients (17%) recovered IC only (median [IQR] days from injury to IC= 40 [34-54]), 72 patients (41%) recovered IC followed by FC (days from injury to FC=50 [42-61]), and 19 patients (11%) recovered FC without first recovering IC (43 [32-63]). The patients who recovered neither IC nor FC within 8 weeks of admission were admitted to rehabilitation later than those who recovered IC and/or FC (P<.01). Sixteen patients who did not recover communication within 8 weeks of admission to rehabilitation subsequently recovered FC prior to discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with severe brain injury receiving inpatient rehabilitation, discernible yes-no responses emerged approximately 6 weeks postinjury and became reliable 1 week later. Approximately 1 in 3 patients did not demonstrate IC or FC within 8 weeks of admission to rehabilitation, although 33% of these individuals recovered communication prior to discharge. In total, 61% of patients recovered FC prior to discharge from rehabilitation.

Which behaviours are first to emerge during recovery of consciousness after severe brain injury?

BACKGROUND

Early detection of consciousness after severe brain injury is critical for establishing an accurate prognosis and planning appropriate treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To determine which behavioural signs of consciousness emerge first and to estimate the time course to recovery of consciousness in patients with severe acquired brain injury.

METHODS

Retrospective observational study using the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised and days to recovery of consciousness in 79 patients (51 males; 34 with traumatic brain injury; median [IQR] age 48 [26-61] years; median time since injury 26 [20-36] days) who transitioned from coma or unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS)/vegetative state (VS) to the minimally conscious state (MCS) or emerged from MCS during inpatient rehabilitation.

RESULTS

Visual pursuit was the most common initial sign of MCS (41% of patients; 95% CI [30-52]), followed by reproducible command-following (25% [16-35]) and automatic movements (24% [15-33]). Ten other behaviours emerged first in less than 16% of cases. Median [IQR] time to recovery of consciousness was 44 [33-59] days. Etiology did not significantly affect time to recovered consciousness.

CONCLUSION

Recovery of consciousness after severe brain injury is most often signalled by reemergence of visual pursuit, reproducible command-following and automatic movements. Clinicians should use assessment measures that are sensitive to these behaviours because early detection of consciousness is critical for accurate prognostication and treatment planning.

Recovery After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Patients Presenting to US Level I Trauma Centers: A Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury (TRACK-TBI) Study

Importance

Most traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are classified as mild (mTBI) based on admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 13 to 15. The prevalence of persistent functional limitations for these patients is unclear.

Objectives

To characterize the natural history of recovery of daily function following mTBI vs peripheral orthopedic traumatic injury in the first 12 months postinjury using data from the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury (TRACK-TBI) study, and, using clinical computed tomographic (CT) scans, examine whether the presence (CT+) or absence (CT-) of acute intracranial findings in the mTBI group was associated with outcomes.

Design, Setting, and Participants

TRACK-TBI, a cohort study of patients with mTBI presenting to US level I trauma centers, enrolled patients from February 26, 2014, to August 8, 2018, and followed up for 12 months. A total of 1453 patients at 11 level I trauma center emergency departments or inpatient units met inclusion criteria (ie, mTBI [n = 1154] or peripheral orthopedic traumatic injury [n = 299]) and were enrolled within 24 hours of injury; mTBI participants had admission GCS scores of 13 to 15 and clinical head CT scans. Patients with peripheral orthopedic trauma injury served as the control (OTC) group.

Exposures

Participants with mTBI or OTC.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) scale score, reflecting injury-related functional limitations across broad life domains at 2 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months postinjury was the primary outcome. The possible score range of the GOSE score is 1 (dead) to 8 (upper good recovery), with a score less than 8 indicating some degree of functional impairment.

Results

Of the 1453 participants, 953 (65.6%) were men; mean (SD) age was 40.9 (17.1) years in the mTBI group and 40.9 (15.4) years in the OTC group. Most participants (mTBI, 87%; OTC, 93%) reported functional limitations (GOSE <8) at 2 weeks postinjury. At 12 months, the percentage of mTBI participants reporting functional limitations was 53% (95% CI, 49%-56%) vs 38% (95% CI, 30%-45%) for OTCs. A higher percentage of CT+ patients reported impairment (61%) compared with the mTBI CT- group (49%; relative risk [RR], 1.24; 95% CI, 1.08-1.43) and a higher percentage in the mTBI CT-group compared with the OTC group (RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.02-1.60).

Conclusions and Relevance

Most patients with mTBI presenting to US level I trauma centers report persistent, injury-related life difficulties at 1 year postinjury, suggesting the need for more systematic follow-up of patients with mTBI to provide treatments and reduce the risk of chronic problems after mTBI.

[The Russian version of Coma Recovery Scale-revised - a standardized method for assessment of patients with disorders of consciousness]

The authors officially present for the first time the Russian version of Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R). Today CRS-R is the only validated scale in Russian for assessment of patients with chronic disorders of consciousness (DOC). The study showed high consistency for different researchers, high sensitivity in the evaluation of patients over time as well as high concurrent validity. This article contains the text of the scale and recommendations how to use CRS-R and interpret the data. Presented version of the CRS-R is recommended for use in DOC patients. Russian version of the CRS-R is a standardized, comprehensive and systematic approach to the examination and assessment of patients with chronic DOS. It ensures the standard approach to examination and assessment that warrants the accuracy and homogeneity of the obtained results.

Risk of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depression in Civilian Patients After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study

IMPORTANCE

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), but little is known about factors that modify risk for these psychiatric sequelae, particularly in the civilian sector.

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain prevalence of and risk factors for PTSD and MDD among patients evaluated in the emergency department for mild TBI (mTBI).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Prospective longitudinal cohort study (February 2014 to May 2018). Posttraumatic stress disorder and MDD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Item. Risk factors evaluated included preinjury and injury characteristics. Propensity score weights-adjusted multivariable logistic regression models were performed to assess associations with PTSD and MDD. A total of 1155 patients with mTBI (Glasgow Coma Scale score, 13-15) and 230 patients with nonhead orthopedic trauma injuries 17 years and older seen in 11 US hospitals with level 1 trauma centers were included in this study.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Probable PTSD (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 score, ≥33) and MDD (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Item score, ≥15) at 3, 6, and 12 months postinjury.

RESULTS

Participants were 1155 patients (752 men [65.1%]; mean [SD] age, 40.5 [17.2] years) with mTBI and 230 patients (155 men [67.4%]; mean [SD] age, 40.4 [15.6] years) with nonhead orthopedic trauma injuries. Weights-adjusted prevalence of PTSD and/or MDD in the mTBI vs orthopedic trauma comparison groups at 3 months was 20.0% (SE, 1.4%) vs 8.7% (SE, 2.2%) (P < .001) and at 6 months was 21.2% (SE, 1.5%) vs 12.1% (SE, 3.2%) (P = .03). Risk factors for probable PTSD at 6 months after mTBI included less education (adjusted odds ratio, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82-0.97 per year), being black (adjusted odds ratio, 5.11; 95% CI, 2.89-9.05), self-reported psychiatric history (adjusted odds ratio, 3.57; 95% CI, 2.09-6.09), and injury resulting from assault or other violence (adjusted odds ratio, 3.43; 95% CI, 1.56-7.54). Risk factors for probable MDD after mTBI were similar with the exception that cause of injury was not associated with increased risk.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

After mTBI, some individuals, on the basis of education, race/ethnicity, history of mental health problems, and cause of injury were at substantially increased risk of PTSD and/or MDD. These findings should influence recognition of at-risk individuals and inform efforts at surveillance, follow-up, and intervention.

The Feasibility of Telephone-Administered Cognitive Testing in Individuals 1 and 2 Years after Inpatient Rehabilitation for Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often results in cognitive impairment, and trajectories of cognitive functioning can vary tremendously over time across survivors. Traditional approaches to measuring cognitive performance require face-to-face administration of a battery of objective neuropsychological tests, which can be time- and labor-intensive. There are numerous clinical and research contexts in which in-person testing is undesirable or unfeasible, including clinical monitoring of older adults or individuals with disability for whom travel is challenging, and epidemiological studies of geographically dispersed participants. A telephone-based method for measuring cognition could conserve resources and improve efficiency. The objective of this study is to examine the feasibility and usefulness of the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone (BTACT) among individuals who are 1 and 2 years post-moderate-to-severe TBI. A total of 463 individuals participated in the study at Year 1 post-injury, and 386 participated at Year 2. The sample was mostly male (73%) and white (59%), with an average age of (mean ± standard deviation) 47.9 ± 20.9 years, and 73% experienced a duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) greater than 7 days. A majority of participants were able to complete the BTACT subtests (61-69% and 56-64% for Years 1 and 2 respectively); score imputation for those unable to complete a test due to severity of cognitive impairment yields complete data for 74-79% of the sample. BTACT subtests showed expected changes between Years 1-2, and summary scores demonstrated expected associations with injury severity, employment status, and cognitive status as measured by the Functional Independence Measure. Results indicate it is feasible, efficient, and useful to measure cognition over the telephone among individuals with moderate-severe TBI.