Dual task performance and post traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Primary objective: To determine if people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) display deficits in dual tasking ability.

Research design: Observational and correlational research design used, to identify and describe the nature of dual task impairment in people with TBI.

Methods and procedures: Eighty-six people with TBI were assessed using a new standardized paper-and-pencil assessment of dual tasking ability and a number of other neuropsychological tests assessing attention, executive functioning and memory.

Main outcome and results: Twenty-three out of the 86 people with TBI (26.74%) performed below the cut-off for normal performance, suggesting that only one quarter of the TBI sample assessed had deficits in attentional control.

Conclusions: Deficits in task co-ordination are not a necessary consequence of TBI.

• Attention
• assessment
• neuropsychologist
• neuropsychology
• traumatic brain injury
• behavior