Word Memory Test Predicts Recovery in Claimants With Work-Related Head Injury

Colangelo, Annette; Abada, Abigail; Haws, Calvin; Park, Joanne; Niemeläinen, Riikka; Gross, Douglas P.

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2015.12.019

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Traumatic stress (PCL-5) was included as a predictor because of preliminary evidence of its prognostic utility after MTBI for RTW[ 51 ] and prolonged symptoms[ 23 ]. Further, probable below-capacity performance (i.e., MSVT failure) was included as a predictor because lower PVT scores have been predictive of longer wage replacement benefits (a proxy for RTW) following MTBI[ 67 ]. In contrast, variables such as sex and age have not contributed to the prediction of RTW in most prior studies and were omitted from our model[ 23 , 51 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workplace and non-workplace mild traumatic brain injuries in an outpatient clinic sample: A case-control study

et al. 2018

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Individuals who are injured in the workplace typically have a greater risk of delayed return to work (RTW) and other poor health outcomes compared to those not injured at work. It is not known whether these differences hold true for mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI). The present study examined differences associated with workplace and non-workplace MTBI upon intake to a specialty MTBI clinic, their outcomes, and risk factors that influence RTW. Slow-to-recover participants were recruited from consecutive referrals to four outpatient MTBI clinics from March 2015 to February 2017. Two clinics treat Worker’s Compensation claimants and two clinics serve patients with non-work related injuries in the publically funded health care system. Of 273 eligible patients, 102 completed an initial study assessment (M age = 41.2 years, SD age = 11.7; 54% women) at an average of 2–3 months post injury. Participants were interviewed about their MTBI and completed a battery of standardized questionnaires and performance validity testing. Outcomes, including RTW, were assessed via telephone follow-up 4–5 months later. Workplace injuries comprised 45.1% of the sample. The workplace MTBI group had a greater proportion of men and lower education levels compared to the non-workplace MTBI group. The two groups had a comparable post-concussion symptom burden and performance validity test failure rate. Workplace MTBI was associated with greater post-traumatic stress symptoms. Fifteen patients (14.7%) were lost to follow-up. There were no workplace/non-workplace MTBI differences in RTW outcome at 6–7 months post injury. Of the entire sample, 42.5% of patients had full RTW, 18.4% had partial RTW, and 39.1% had no RTW. Greater post-concussion symptom burden was most predictive of no RTW at follow-up. There was no evidence that the workplace and non-workplace MTBI groups had different risk factors associated with prolonged work absence. Despite systemic differences in compensation and health care access, the workplace and non-workplace MTBI groups were similar at clinic intake and indistinguishable at follow-up, 6–7 months post injury.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workplace and non-workplace mild traumatic brain injuries in an outpatient clinic sample: A case-control study

et al. 2018

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“…In Ontario, Canada, approximately 6 of every 1000 lost-time claims are associated with work-related mTBI. In the US, one study based in Washington found that 19.8% of work-related TBIs were associated with workers compensation claims 29,31,51 . Therefore, if cognitive testing is indicated, inclusion of validity testing is imperative as it specifically evaluates for poor effort and potential malingering 15 …”

Section: Barriers To the Rtw Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is considered to be a more objective measure of overall function in contrast to the plethora of subjective self-reported symptoms usually present in patients experiencing mTBI 29,38 . Neuropsychological testing can assist with identifying the presence of cognitive and functional impairment, assess rehabilitation needs, and help determine recovery trajectory 51 . Some studies argue that special consideration should be given to timing the administration of neuropsychological testing earlier for patients at an increased risk of persistent symptoms, such as Workers’ Compensation patients with mTBI 55 .…”

Section: Role Of Physiatrist-led Interdisciplinary Teammentioning

confidence: 99%

“…29,38 Neuropsychological testing can assist with identifying the presence of cognitive and functional impairment, assess rehabilitation needs, and help determine recovery trajectory. 51 Some studies argue that special consideration should be given to timing the administration of neuropsychological testing earlier for patients at an increased risk of persistent symptoms, such as Workers' Compensation patients with mTBI. 55 Administration of testing earlier than 3 mos could lead to prompt identification of underlying cognitive and psychological issues and allow for early and appropriate intervention in populations most at risk of developing persistent symptoms.…”

Section: Role Of Physiatrist-led Interdisciplinary Teammentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the US, one study based in Washington found that 19.8% of work-related TBIs were associated with workers compensation claims. 29,31,51 Therefore, if cognitive testing is indicated, inclusion of validity testing is imperative as it specifically evaluates for poor effort and potential malingering. 15 Those with public health insurance are as much as 7 times more likely to not RTW as those who have private insurance.…”

Section: Barriers To the Rtw Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Treatment and Management of Work-Related Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Andreae

Grafton

Hong

et al. 2022

Am J Phys Med Rehabil

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The purpose of this narrative review was to assess work-related mild traumatic brain injury treatment approaches and outcomes. Literature indicates that incidence of work-related mild traumatic brain injury is high. Ability to return to work after injury is variable, with differences identified across industry sector, mechanisms of injury, sex, and timely treatment and referral. Additional challenges exist in the context of secondary gains (e.g., financial) and the potential for symptom exaggeration. Emerging evidence from studies outside the United States demonstrate the benefits of proactive assessment and treatment at the time of injury. These benefits can be further augmented by early referral to multidisciplinary treatment teams led by physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians. Opportunities for ongoing research and development of strategies to improve treatment, management, and more timely return to work for patients with occupational mild traumatic brain injury are discussed. It is concluded that challenges persist in treatment and management of patients with work-related mild traumatic brain injury as they present unique challenges not seen in those with nonwork-related mild traumatic brain injuries. The unique position of physical medicine and rehabilitation and the skills of physiatrists render them poised to lead multidisciplinary treatment teams for these patients and contribute to the development of a new guideline for return to work, with an emphasis on functional recovery.

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Enhanced detection of feigned cognitive impairment using per item response time measurements in the Word Memory Test

Lupu

Elbaum

Wagner

et al. 2017

Applied Neuropsychology: Adult

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Response time (RT) is a less obvious outcome measure than conventional accuracy measures used in performance validity tests (PVTs). It is also under less conscious control and is affected by cognitive processes associated with deception. Studies that assessed the utility of RT for the detection of feigned cognitive impairment are however numbered. Moreover, RT variability was not assessed in a clinically used PVT. In the current study, we assessed the utility of RT measures for the detection of feigned cognitive impairment in the Word Memory Test (WMT). Healthy participants (N = 90) were randomly assigned to a simulation or control condition and their per-item RTs were recorded while they performed the WMT's immediate recognition (IR) subtest. Simulators had longer mean RTs and larger RT variance than controls. Combining RT measures and the IR-subtest's accuracy score enabled a highly accurate detection of simulators. Moreover, the combined scale demonstrated incremental value (though slight) in predicting group membership beyond the use of the accuracy score as the sole PVT measure. The findings tentatively point toward the usefulness of RT measures to enhance the detection of feigned cognitive impairment. Further studies are needed, however, in order to explore the utility of these measures in clinical settings.

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Word Memory Test Predicts Recovery in Claimants With Work-Related Head Injury

Cited by 4 publications

References 25 publications

Workplace and non-workplace mild traumatic brain injuries in an outpatient clinic sample: A case-control study

Workplace and non-workplace mild traumatic brain injuries in an outpatient clinic sample: A case-control study

Treatment and Management of Work-Related Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Enhanced detection of feigned cognitive impairment using per item response time measurements in the Word Memory Test

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