Executive functioning, awareness, and participation in daily life after mild traumatic brain injury: A preliminary study

OBJECTIVE. We investigated the relationship of executive functioning and self-awareness to participation in daily life of people after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) referred to occupational therapy in the postacute phase. METHOD. Thirteen participants who sustained mTBI (average time since injury = 4.7 months, mean age = 43.4 years) were evaluated with the Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome, the Dysexecutive Questionnaire, the Self-Awareness of Deficits Interview, and the Participation Index (PI) of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory. RESULTS. Analysis revealed high frequencies of deficits in executive functions such as planning and shifting. However, self-awareness of the executive deficits was intact. A significant percentage (62%-85%) of participants experienced restrictions in everyday life activities, and PI scores were significantly correlated with measures of executive functioning. CONCLUSIONS. After mTBI, people may be at significant risk for persistent executive deficits and restrictions in participation that warrant occupational therapy intervention.