Predictive validity of a brief outpatient neuropsychological battery in individuals 1–25 years post traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this research was to examine the predictive validity of a brief, outpatient neuropsychological battery relative to concurrent functional outcomes 1–25 years post traumatic brain injury. Method: A cross-sectional analysis from an archival database. Participants were 377 persons aged 16–85, 1–25 years post mild-complicated to severe traumatic brain injury. Neuropsychological testing and outcome assessment were completed as part of a routine follow-up associated with enrollment in the Southeastern Michigan Traumatic Brain Injury System project, which is a longitudinal research project. Neuropsychological measures included trail making test, California verbal learning test-II (CVLT-II), word generation, Wisconsin card sort testing – 64 card version, digit vigilance test, and Wechsler test of adult reading (WTAR). Outcome measures included the disability rating scale, Glasgow outcome scale-extended, supervisor rating scale, and employment. Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that although demographic and injury characteristics were predictive of level of disability, level of supervision, and employment, neuropsychological test scores including CVLT-II total score for learning trials 1–5; Trails B, and the WTAR represented independent predictors across all outcome measures. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the utility of a brief, outpatient battery in prediction of concurrent outcomes up to 25 years post injury. Given the difficulty in receiving full reimbursement for neuropsychological assessment services, the data provide needed empirical support for use of more economical and efficient testing.

Keywords:

• Neuropsychological assessment
• traumatic brain injury
• functional outcomes
• rehabilitation
• predictive validity