Neuromuscular and somatic problems of post-acute brain injury patients1

Information regarding traumatic brain injury sequelae in a sample of 503 traumatic brain injury patients was obtained using the Neurobehavioral Functioning Inventory (NFI). Data revealed that motor dysfunction was more frequently reported than somatic difficulties. Analyses of variance indicated that unemployed patients experienced significantly more motor problems than patients working 40 or more hours per week. No differences in the incidence of somatic complaints, headaches, or muscular pain were found between employed and unemployed patients. Data suggests that long-term, interdisciplinary rehabilitation may be cost effective, especially when viewed in the context of successful employment.