Objective: We investigated the relationship of executive functioning and self-awareness to participation in daily life of people after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) referred to occupational therapy in the postacute phase.
Method: Thirteen participants who sustained mTBI (average time since injury = 4.7 months, mean age = 43.4 years) were evaluated with the Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome, the Dysexecutive Questionnaire, the Self-Awareness of Deficits Interview, and the Participation Index (PI) of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory.
Results: Analysis revealed high frequencies of deficits in executive functions such as planning and shifting. However, self-awareness of the executive deficits was intact. A significant percentage (62%-85%) of participants experienced restrictions in everyday life activities, and PI scores were significantly correlated with measures of executive functioning.
Conclusions: After mTBI, people may be at significant risk for persistent executive deficits and restrictions in participation that warrant occupational therapy intervention.