Affiliations: [a]
Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan
| [b]
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan
| [c]
Department of Neurology, Hokuyukai Neurological Hospital, Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan
| [d]
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Katsunori Ikoma, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan. E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Residual capacity evaluation via neuropsychological testing can facilitate the development of a rehabilitation plan in patients following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to confirm the tasks that patients must perform well for early return to work (RTW) following TBI using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III (WAIS-III). METHODS:In total, 40 male and 13 female patients who suffered from neurobehavioral disabilities following TBI were recruited and classified into two groups: the successfully returned to work group (SRTW-G; n = 22) and the unsuccessfully returned to work group (USRTW-G; n = 31). The outcomes assessed by WAIS-III and the time to RTW were compared between the SRTW-G and USRTW-G groups. Multiple logistic regression, multiple regression analysis, and Cox regression were employed to assess differences between the groups. RESULTS:The Comprehension and Letter-Number Sequencing subtests of the WAIS-III were significantly correlated with early RTW more than the other subtests. CONCLUSIONS:We found that, as reflected in the two subtests, patients with TBI must be able to perform well in the following tasks for early RTW: Retention of information for short time periods, information processing, and social judgment based on the knowledge of the patient’s experience.
