Long Term Symptoms and Limitations of Activity of People with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Ten-Year Follow-up

Abstract

This study examined the effect of Traumatic Brain Injury 10 years post-injury. Frequencies of head injury symptoms and activity limitation by level of severity were measured in a consecutive series of 61 adults who were admitted to a tertiary-care center for traumatic brain injury. Irritability and Anxiety were the most frequently reported symptoms from the Head Injury Symptom Checklist. Bothered by noise and Bothered by light were the least frequently reported. Trouble hearing what is said in a group conversation and Trouble hearing what is said in a one-to-one conversation were the most commonly reported limitations of activity from the Health and Activity Limitations Survey. Overall, this study illustrates that symptoms remain many years following brain injury, irrespective of the injury's severity.