The interplay between emotional and cognitive recovery after closed head injury

This study examined 59 patients who had suffered closed head injuries with respect to their MMPI scores and Category Test scores as assessed shortly post-injury and on subsequent assessment. The number of MMPI scales elevated above t = 70 on the first assessment was negatively correlated with the magnitude of improvement made on the Category Test. Multiple regression analyses showed that the extent of cognitive deficit, as indicated by the Category Test, could be predicted from the degree of psychopathology, with MMPI scales 2 (depression), 7 (psychasthenia) and 8 (schizophrenia) being highly predictive of Category Test performance. These results suggest that patients with better psychological functioning perform at a higher level and make a greater post-traumatic recovery on neurocognitive tests. Although we cannot determine if the emotional impairment is due to neuropathology or is reactive in nature, there are clear implications for rehabilitation.