Facial affect recognition difficulties in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation services

The occurrence of facial affect recognition difficulties in a sample of people accessing traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation services was examined. It was hypothesized that between 13-39% of participants would demonstrate clinically significant impairment in facial affect recognition.

Cross-sectional sample of eligible participants who were current clients of eight brain injury services were invited to participate.

Forty-five participants with mild-to-severe TBI were assessed for facial affect recognition difficulties using the facial affect discrimination, naming, selection and matching sub-tests of the Florida Affect Battery.

Fifty-one per cent of participants had at least moderate difficulties with facial affect recognition.

The current sample was not a random selection from the population of people with TBI, so the results do not establish a formal estimate of prevalence. Nonetheless, the data indicate that when assessing typical clients with severe brain injuries presenting to neurorehabilitation services, there is likely to be a high frequency of occurrence of facial affect recognition difficulties. Rehabilitation outcomes may be improved by screening for and treating facial affect recognition difficulties following TBI. Further examination and development of treatment options is warranted.