The relationship of cognitive functions and the motor and process skills in patients with traumatic brain injury

Background. In the evaluation process of the cognitive status of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) it is very important to address cognitive functions and the way they affect the occupational performance. The purpose... [ view full abstract ]

Background.
In the evaluation process of the cognitive status of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) it is very important to address cognitive functions and the way they affect the occupational performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of cognitive functions and quality of performance of motor and process skills in daily occupations of people with TBI.
Method.
This study included 30 patients (age 19 to 60) with severe traumatic brain injury which were evaluated during inpatient rehabilitation approximately 4,2 months after injury. In the cognitive screening battery the subtests of Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT), Behavioural Inattention Test (BIT) and Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) were applied and compared with the performance on Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS), an occupation based assessment tool. The data were analyzed with descriptive procedures and correlation analysis.
Results.
There is a significantly higher correlation of the total score of cognitive screening battery with AMPS process skills (rho=0,71) than with AMPS motor skills (rho=0,54). The highest correlation of the AMPS process skills is with RBMT picture memory subtest (rho=0,71) while the correlation with other subtests is in the moderate range. The correlation of cognitive screening subtests with AMPS motor skills ranges from low to moderate, while the highest correlation is with memory (rho= 0,58) and neglect (rho=0,57) subtests.
Conclusion.
This study supports the high relationship of the cognitive impairment and the quality of performance of process skills of AMPS.