Neuropsychology
-
Individuals' cognitive abilities predict functional outcomes following traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, it is not known to what extent concurrent cognitive abilities affect the magnitude or the rate of functional recovery. The current study modeled the progression of functional outcome as it related to background, injury severity, and cognitive variables over the first year postinjury. ⋯ The findings indicate that consideration of cognitive ability, rather than reliance on demographic and injury severity variables, provide a more accurate representation of functional outcome over the first year postinjury. In addition, the results suggest that specific cognitive domains, particularly executive functions, are likely to have the strongest effect on functional outcomes.