[Interindividual variability in recovery after traumatic brain injury: effect of cognitive reserve].

Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of cognitive reserve in recovery after a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Different authors proposed that this construct might account for the mismatch between TBI severity, its clinical expression, and subsequent recovery.
Patients and Method: Eighty-four patients who sustained moderate-to-severe TBI participated in the study. Participants were divided into a high cognitive reserve group (n=46) or low cognitive reserve group (n=38) based on premorbid educational and occupational attainment. Patient's functional status was examined with the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS).
Results: There were no significant differences between groups in demographic and injury variables (sex, age, severity of injury, post-traumatic amnesia duration, and time since injury). The analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the 2 groups on the PCRS: The high cognitive reserve group scored better than the low cognitive reserve group.
Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that cognitive reserve may mediate recovery after a moderate or severe TBI. Educational and occupational attainments provide a cognitive provision that would be associated with better functional status after injury.
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