Changes in neuropsychological performance after traumatic brain injury from inpatient rehabilitation to 1-year follow-up in predicting 2-year functional outcomes.

The present study explored the predictive value of interval change in neuropsychological performance at three time-points following moderate-to-severe TBI (inpatient rehabilitation, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up) on functional outcome measures collected at 2-year follow-up. Symmetrized percent change scores were calculated and used to predict scores on functional measures using linear regression while controlling for age and injury severity. Results showed that change in performance from inpatient to 1-year on total list learning (CVLT-II or RAVLT) and oral SDMT significantly predicted 2-year ratings of functional status.

The fake bad scale in atypical and severe closed head injury litigants.

The correlational and diagnostic properties of Lees-Haley's MMPI-2 Fake Bad Scale (FBS) were examined in litigating atypical minor, litigating moderate-severe, and non-litigating moderate-severe head injury samples. Overall, the FBS was sensitive to both litigation status and nonconforming versus conforming symptom courses. The FBS appeared superior to the MMPI-2 F and F-K scales in differentiating atypical from real brain-injury outcomes.

Brief report: anosmia and remote outcome in closed head injury.

The value of posttraumatic anosmia as a predictor of late social outcomes was examined in a sample of closed head injury (CHI) patients. Unemployment rates were equally high in both the anosmic and nonanosmic closed head injury patients. The groups also did not differ in psychiatric or neuropsychological status.

Motor dysfunction profiles in traumatic brain injury and postconcussion syndrome.

Motor measures are sensitive to central lesions, but they are also affected by peripheral injury and motivation. The motor skills profiles of proven brain injury clients were compared with the profiles of healthy postconcussion patients. The chief result was a double dissociation: The traumatic brain injury (TBI) group produced a motor dysfunction gradient consistent with upper motor neuron disease, while the compensation-seeking postconcussion group produced a nonphysiologic pattern.

Comparison of multiple scoring methods for Rey's malingered amnesia measures.

The predictive accuracy of Andre Rey's malingered amnesia measures (Memory for Fifteen Items and Word Recognition List) was examined. Discriminant function and crosstabulation analytic strategies were applied to predict membership in either a traumatically brain injured group (n = 60) or in a litigated minor head injury group claiming permanent severe disability (n = 90). Satisfactory hit rates were achieved with Rey's original scoring methods, but improved hit rates were obtained with scoring modifications.