Affiliations: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-UHN, Toronto, ON,
Canada | Department of Occupational Science and Occupational
Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada | Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Division of
Epidemiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Angela Colantonio, Occupational
Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, M5G 1V7, Toronto, ON,
Canada. Tel.: +416 978 1098; Fax: +416 946 8570; E-mail:
angela.colantonio@utoronto.ca
Abstract: Objectives: To examine the nature and extent of persistent
post-injury symptoms of persons who have experienced a work-related traumatic
brain injury (WrTBI) in Ontario, Canada. Methods: Using a retrospective case series design, post-injury
symptoms, occupation, and work factors were examined for WrTBIs among an adult
population. Data were abstracted from medical records of individuals who
sustained a WrTBI and were discharged from a referral-based outpatient
neurology service between the years of 1998 and 2001. Results: Of the 435 individuals who sustained a WrTBI, most were
⩾ 45 years of age and male. Approximately 50% had injuries to the head
only, while others had multiple injuries. The most common post-injury symptoms
were headaches (85.1%), memory changes (74.3%), and mood/personality changes
(68.3%). A small subset of individuals reported very long-term post-injury
symptoms, and a majority of individuals had not yet returned to work. Conclusions: This study profiles the demographic and clinical
characteristics of an outpatient injured worker population with a history of
WrTBI which provides a basis for the planning and implementation of assessment
and treatment programs for this clinical population.
Keywords: Work, post-concussion syndrome, return to work, rehabilitation
