Use of the Disability Rating Scale Recovery curve as a predictor of psychosocial outcome following closed-head injury

J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2001 May;7(4):457-67. doi: 10.1017/s1355617701744025.

Abstract

Rapid rate of recovery has been associated with better outcome following closed-head injuries, but few studies have compellingly demonstrated this. This study used growth curve analyses of Disability Rating Scale (DRS) scores at acute hospitalization discharge, 1, 3, and 6 months post injury in a sample of 55 patients with a closed-head injury. Six month post-injury outcome measures were taken from significant other (SO) responses on the NYU Head Injury Family Interview (NYU-HIFI) including severity and burden ratings of affective/neurobehavioral disturbance, cognitive deficits, and physical/dependency status. Rate of recovery (linear and curvilinear recovery curve components) was significantly related to the level of affective/neurobehavioral severity, and the severity and burden of SO-perceived cognitive deficits. Only the intercept of the DRS recovery curve was associated with the SO-perceived severity and burden of physical/dependency status. Growth curve modeling is a meaningful and powerful tool in predicting head injury outcome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Cognition Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Cost of Illness
  • Disability Evaluation*
  • Female
  • Head Injuries, Closed / psychology*
  • Head Injuries, Closed / rehabilitation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mental Disorders / etiology*
  • Mental Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Mood Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mood Disorders / etiology*
  • Mood Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Prognosis
  • Recovery of Function
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Severity of Illness Index