Personality changes after acquired brain injury and their effects on rehabilitation outcomes

ABSTRACT

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is often associated with personality changes. Pre- as well as post-injury personality traits are related to rehabilitation outcomes. However, it largely remains unclear whether post-injury personality shows any associations with rehabilitation outcomes over and above pre-injury personality. Using a case–control design, this study investigated (1) personality changes after ABI from patients' and significant others’ perspective, and (2) relations of pre- and post-ABI personality traits to rehabilitation outcomes in the short- and long-term. 40 patients with ABI (85% stroke, 15% traumatic brain injury), 46 healthy controls and their significant others participated. Personality was assessed with NEO-FFI, rehabilitation outcomes (activities, participation, depression) were measured at two and ten months after ABI. Patient-ratings indicated decreases in extraversion and a trend towards reduced conscientiousness. Significant others reported increases in patients’ neuroticism. Pre- as well as post-injury personality traits were associated with depression and activities at both short- and long-term timepoints after ABI. The association was strongest for long-term depressive symptoms where personality trait variables accounted for 49% of variance ($R_{adjusted}^2$). Our results confirm that ABI patients and significant others perceive personality changes, albeit in different dimensions. Pre- and post-ABI personality traits showed associations with rehabilitation outcomes, especially with emotional adjustment after the injury.

KEYWORDS:

• Acquired brain injury
• Stroke
• Personality change
• Rehabilitation

Acknowledgements

We express our appreciation to the individuals who participated in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by budgetary resources.