Cognitive function and participation in children and youth with mild traumatic brain injury two years after injury.

BACKGROUND: 10-20% of children and youth with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) suffer from long-term cognitive impairments with, supposedly, a negative impact on most domains of functioning.

OBJECTIVES: To describe cognitive functioning and participation in children and youth two-years post-mTBI and to determine associated risk factors.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study among 73 patients (aged 6-22 years), hospital diagnosed with mTBI. Linear regression modelling was used to investigate the effect of potential predictors on cognitive functioning as measured with a neuropsychological assessment (NPA), two-years post-injury. Extent of participation was assessed using the Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation and correlation analysis was conducted to examine its association with level of cognitive functioning.

RESULTS: 7-15% of all participants had impaired cognitive functions, especially in the domains of processing speed, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, visuospatial constructional ability and visuospatial memory. Lower level of education and pre-injury cognitive problems were predictive for a lower level of long-term cognitive functioning. Slower inhibition speed, impaired visuospatial and verbal working memory were associated with reduced participation.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Persisting cognitive problems two years after mTBI were mostly related to the lower level of education and to pre-injury cognitive problems. Although participation of the patients was reported by parents to be relatively high, slower inhibition speed, impaired visuospatial and verbal working memory were associated with reduced participation.