This study examined how MTBI concomitants such as pain variables, depression, and anxiety were related to attentional functioning at different stages of recovery. Participants having sustained a MTBI who were in the earlier phase of recovery showed, compared to controls, slower reaction times and larger intra-individual variability on a Computerized Pictorial Stroop Task (CPST). They also reported more post-concussion symptoms, pain intensity and disability, whereas MTBI participants who were in the later phase of recovery presented a higher rate of post-concussive symptoms and somewhat higher pain intensity/disability. MTBI participants’ scores on the cognitive items of the post-concussion symptoms scale were positively correlated with reaction times on the CPST, while pain intensity/disability levels were negatively correlated with standard attention measures. Results indicate that obtaining response times and intra-individual variability measures using tests such as the CPST represents an effective means for measuring recovery of attentional function, and that pain intensity/disability should be systematically assessed after a MTBI. 1. Introduction Individuals who have sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) may manifest postconcussional symptoms of a physical, cognitive, or emotional nature [1, 2]. Possible cognitive symptoms include difficulties with concentration, attention, memory, executive functioning [3], word finding, and information processing [4]. Therefore, the cognitive impact of MTBI can be extensive and wide ranging [5]. It is well known that of the reported symptoms, attention is especially problematic for many individuals having had a MTBI. In fact, meta-analytical studies indicate that attention deficits are the most persistent neuropsychological complaint following closed-head injury [6, 7]. Understanding these attentional difficulties is important in planning management and rehabilitation of persons suffering from the consequences of MTBI. Multiple studies have demonstrated that MTBI produces attentional deficits [8, 9]. In fact, there appears to be a large variety of attentional deficits found within this group of patients in terms of both reported symptoms and neuropsychological performance [5]. Divided attention deficits and sustained attention deficits have been identified in the MTBI population [10–12]. As well, results of some experimental studies suggest that MTBI may produce difficulty in effectively filtering relevant sensory information from irrelevant information, or of selective attention [9, 13].
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