Perseveration and wandering as a predictor variable after brain injury

Perseveration and wandering are well recognized sequelae of traumatic brain injury. They are believed to arise as a constellation of behaviours from lesions involving the frontal, temporal, or parietal lobes or subcortical motor regions. Attention and memory deficits are believed to contribute to the presence of perseveration and wandering. Patients who perseverate and/or wander after brain injury tend to have poorer outcomes and slower rates of progress. This prospective study is based on 32 consecutive admissions to a brain injury rehabilitation unit over a 4-month period. For each patient data was collected on perseverative behaviours, wandering, Functional Independence Measure, total number of rehabilitative days, supervision requirement at discharge and discharge disposition. Perseveration and wandering were assessed using the Agitated Behaviour Scale and clinical observations of the primary physician, physical and occupational therapist and speech-language pathologist. Correlations between perseverative and wandering behaviours were made with the variables identified.