Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Third Edition profiles and their relationship to self-reported outcome following traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Neuropsychological assessments of outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) are often unrelated to self-reported problems after TBI. The current study cluster-analyzed the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Third Edition (WAIS–III) subtest scores from mild, moderate, and severe TBI (n = 220) and orthopedic injury control (n = 95) groups, to determine whether specific cognitive profiles are related to people’s perceived outcomes after TBI. A two-stage cluster analysis produced 4- and 6-cluster solutions, with the 6-cluster solution better capturing subtle variations in cognitive functioning. The 6 clusters differed in the levels and profiles of cognitive performance, self-reported recovery, and education and injury severity. The findings suggest that subtle cognitive impairments after TBI should be interpreted in conjunction with patient’s self-reported problems.

• Cognitive tests; Cluster analysis
• Cognitive symptoms
• Functional recovery
• Outcomes
• Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Third Edition