Straatman, T.L. (2023) The Role of Aging in Patients with Acute Acquired Brain Injury: The Course of Executive Control and Information Processing Speed and their Association with Fatigue and Participation. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was (1) to investigate the course of cognitive functioning in adult patients with acute Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), and (2) to examine how cognitive functioning relates to self-reported fatigue and participation in the chronic phase. Method: In a retrospective cohort study, twenty-five patients with acute ABI were assessed with tests measuring information processing speed and executive control (Vienna Test System, Trail Making Test and Digit Span Test) within the first months post-ABI and at follow-up examination at least 5 years after sustaining the injury. Additional outcome measures were mental and physical fatigue levels (Dutch Multifactor Fatigue Scale) and level of participation (Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation-Participation) at follow-up examination. Results: Overall, patients with ABI demonstrated relatively stable cognitive functioning between the two moments of measurement, yet some significant improvements were found on measures of processing speed and mental flexibility. Patients with complaints of physical fatigue obtained poorer scores on measures of information processing speed at follow-up examination. Higher self-reported participation was associated with better information processing speed and mental flexibility as well as fewer complaints of physical fatigue. Conclusions: Adult patients with ABI exhibit a relatively stable course of cognitive functioning over time, showing even improvements on measures of mental flexibility and information processing speed. Despite this positive aspect, complaints of fatigue are frequently reported in the chronic phase and are associated with both reduced information processing speed and participation-satisfaction. Our findings emphasize the importance of closely monitoring cognitive and fatigue-related complaints during the chronic phase in patients with ABI, with timely intervention when indicated. Keywords: acquired brain injury, aging, cognition, fatigue, participation.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Supervisor name: | Thuss, N.S. and Rakers, S.E. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Feb 2024 15:40 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Feb 2024 15:40 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3085 |
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