Self-rated competency in activities predicts functioning and participation one year after traumatic brain injury

To investigate whether the Patient Competency Rating Scale at three months predicts global functioning and participation one year after traumatic brain injury.

Prospective cohort study with follow-up at 3 and 12 months post injury. The Patient Competency Rating Scale was analysed in a logistic regression model with the outcomes Community Integration Questionnaire, Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended and return to work/study.

The neurosurgical department of a trauma referral centre in a metropolitan hospital.

A cohort of 70 patients with acute traumatic brain injury, ranging from mild to severe injury.

The Patient Competency Rating Scale, assessing competency in activities, was applied as a predictor. Outcomes describing community participation at 12 months were the Community Integration Questionnaire and return to work/study. Global functioning was evaluated by the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended.

Factor analysis of the Patient Competency Rating Scale items yielded three domains: activities demanding cognition, interpersonal/emotional skills, and activities of daily living (ADL) competency. The first two of these domains significantly predicted return to work/study and community integration, whilst global functioning at one year was predicted by interpersonal/emotional competency.

The Patient Competency Rating Scale at three months predicted functioning and participation one year after traumatic brain injury. This indicates that rehabilitation interventions should focus on cognitive and interpersonal competency in order to enhance participation after traumatic brain injury.