Authors

1. Waljas, Minna PsyLic
2. Iverson, Grant L. PhD
3. Lange, Rael T. PhD
4. Liimatainen, Suvi MD, PhD
5. Hartikainen, Kaisa M. MD, PhD
6. Dastidar, Prasun MD, PhD
7. Soimakallio, Seppo MD, PhD
8. Ohman, Juha MD, PhD

Abstract

Objective: To examine factors relating to return to work (RTW) following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Participants: One hundred and nine patients (Age: M = 37.4 years, SD = 13.2; 52.3% women) who sustained an mTBI.

Design: Inception cohort design with questionnaires and neuropsychological testing completed approximately 3 to 4 weeks postinjury.

Setting: Emergency Department of Tampere University Hospital, Finland.

Main Outcome Measures: Self-report (postconcussion symptoms, depression, fatigue, and general health) and neurocognitive measures (attention and memory).

Results: The cumulative RTW rates were as follows: 1 week = 46.8%, 2 weeks = 59.6%, 3 weeks = 67.0%, 4 weeks = 70.6%, 2 months = 91.7%, and 1 year = 97.2%. Four variables were significant predictors of the number of days to RTW: age, multiple bodily injuries, intracranial abnormality at the day of injury, and fatigue ratings (all P < .001). The largest amount of variance accounted for by these variables in the prediction of RTW was at 30 days following injury (P < .001, R² = 0.504). Participants who returned to work fewer than 30 days after injury (n = 82, 75.2%) versus more than 30 days (n = 27, 24.8%) did not differ on demographic or neuropsychological variables.

Conclusions: The vast majority of this cohort returned to work within 2 months. Predictors of slower RTW included age, multiple bodily injuries, intracranial abnormality at the day of injury, and fatigue.