Long-term neuropsychological deficits after traumatic head injury with comatosis

Studied neuropsychological deficits in a population who had sustained traumatic head injuries of the concussive type. Experimental Ss were 48 adults who had been comatose and hospitalized during the 3-year period that preceded the study. Control Ss (N = 16) had been hospitalized due to other types of injuries and had not been comatose. Ss were recalled and administered the Halstead-Reitan Battery, Trail Making Test, WAIS, and various questionnaires. Significant differences between experimental and control Ss were found that indicated persistence of neuropsychological dysfunctions. Groups of Ss who had sustained long comas performed more poorly than those who had short comas, which indicated that duration of coma was an important factor.