Abstract:
Attention deficits are commonly reported after traumatic brain injury. A variety of laboratory measures have been used to study attention and assess its response to treatment. However, this approach is seldom feasible for clinical use. Rating scales of attention-related behavior have been developed for other clinical situations (e.g., ADHD), but no well-validated scale exists for use in TBI. This project seeks to assess the inter-rater reliability and factor structure of an observational rating scale of attention developed for use in TBI. Research participants are individuals admitted to acute rehabilitation after TBI, who are at least Rancho Los Amigos level IV, and are undergoing no changes in psychoactive drugs. Such individuals are independently rated by their physical and occupational therapist within approximately the first 2 weeks of their admission. The psychometric properties of the scale are being explored using Rasch analysis and factor analysis.