Executive function correlates with community integration after a traumatic brain injury / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the relationship between executive functioning and community integration after a traumatic brain injury and to identify the main factors influencing community integration.Methods:A cross-sectional study of 30 traumatic brain injury survivors was conducted recording their gender, age, years of education, days in coma, living status and mobility. Their executive functioning was assessed using the Disorders of Executive Function Questionnaire (DEX) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Their community integration was evaluated using the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ). The independent correlations of demographic characteristics, life status, mobility and executive functioning with CIQ score were quantified.Results:The average total CIQ score was negatively correlated with the average WCST-RP, DEX and WCST-RPE scores, but it was positively correlated with mobility. It was also significantly correlated with life status. DEX scores and WCST-RP scores were significant independent predictors of community integration. The average CIQ family integration score was negatively correlated with days spent in a coma and significantly correlated with living status. The average CIQ social integration score was positively correlated with mobility (and negatively correlated with DEX, WCST-RP and WCST-RPE score. WCST-RP score and mobility were significant independent predictors of CIQ social integration scores. The average CIQ productive activity scores correlated negatively with the DEX, WCST-RP and WCST-RPE scores, and with the DEX and WCST-RP executive function scores. They were significant independent predictors of CIQ productive activity scores.Conclusions:Executive functioning can predict community integration, especially its social integration dimension.