Cognitive Sequelae, Autonomy, Social Participation and Quality of Life Over 10 Years after Traumatic Brain Injury
Résumé
Objective: This study aimed to describe the cognitive status, autonomy, quality of life, and social participation of individuals who had experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) at least 10 years prior. Method: Data were collected from 29 individuals with moderate to severe TBI, with a mean age of 49 at the assessment time. Interviews were conducted approximately 22 years after the onset of the brain injury (mean age at onset was 27 years). Participants were divided into two groups based on the time elapsed since the TBI. Participants were asked about changes in their difficulties with age. Results: The study revealed that half of the participants perceived a decline in their cognitive abilities. Autonomy in activities of daily living deteriorated more than basic autonomy. Quality of life appeared to improve with age. Furthermore, there was a correlation between social participation and overall cognitive ability. No differences were found between the participant groups, suggesting that the time elapsed since the TBI did not seem to influence their progression. Conclusion: These findings underscore the evolution of the abilities of individuals with TBI several years after the initial incident, emphasizing the importance of long-term follow-up to tailor support throughout the individual’s lifespan. The study also demonstrates substantial variability in developmental profiles. Additionally, social participation emerges as a pivotal factor to consider, potentially mitigating cognitive decline as individual’s age.