Social recovery during the year following severe head injury.

Abstract

A group of 54 patients who had suffered severe closed head injury (PTA >24 hours) were followed from the time of their injury for a period of two years. Relatives were interviewed within the first four weeks to assess the patient's previous personality and social adjustment. Patients and relatives were then assessed personally six and 12 months later and by postal questionnaires after two years. Only six patients were still not back at work after two years but more had not resumed all their leisure activities. Family relationships appeared to have settled down again by this stage but social contacts were still less frequent. Personality changes were associated with prior family relationships, cognitive changes with diminished social contacts whilst premorbid personality and physical deficits were associated with time taken to return to work.