Affiliations: Institution of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department
of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Sahlgrenska Academy at the
University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden | Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital and Medicial Faculty,
Oslo University, Norway
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Caisa Hofgren, Institution of
Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience and
Rehabilitation, hSahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Guldhedsgatan
19, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden. Tel.: +46 31 342 32 67; Fax: +46 31 41 54 33;
E-mail: caisa.hofgren@rehab.gu.se
Abstract: Objectives: There is great variability in the rate of return to work
for persons who have suffered from brain injury. The aims of this study was: 1)
to describe employment status of persons with stroke or traumatic brain injury,
one year after the incident and 2) to investigate the impact of injury/stroke
severity, length of stay, the ability to perform activities of daily living and
cognitive function on return to work. Participants and Methods: Information was collected from 72 persons; 48 with a diagnosis of stroke and 24
with a traumatic brain injury. All patients had attended to a Rehabilitation
Centre with inpatient and outpatient facilities. Data of the above mentioned
variables was gathered retrospectively and information about employment status
was retrieved from the medical records. Results: After one year, 13
persons (≈ 18%), 5 with a stroke and 8 with a traumatic brain injury
(one with mild brain injury, 9 with moderate and 3 persons with severe
injuries) had returned to work. They had significantly shorter length of stay
at the rehabilitation hospital and were younger than those that did not return
to work. Somewhat better results at the neuropsychological screening were seen
among those that returned to work, although with a significant difference only
in the subscale assessing affect. Some persons with severe injury returned to
work, while a majority of those with mild brain injury did not. Conclusion: Traumatic brain injury, younger age and less need of
rehabilitation were associated with a higher rate of returning to work.
Patients with stroke were older and seem to need more support in order to be
successful in work return. It is of importance to reach primary rehabilitation
goals, such as being ADL independent, as this was also favourable for work
return. The impact of injury severity seemed complex and should to be further
explored. Persons with mild brain injury should be followed-up with respect to
work return. An important cognitive factor was ability to perceive and express
affective responses, reflecting the need of social skills in today's
work-life.
