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Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1024/1016-264X/a000132

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on (a) neuropsychological test performance and (b) self-reported emotional complaints within individuals suffering from postconcussional disorder (PCD) after a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). A two-group comparative research design was employed. Two MTBI samples with and without PTSD were assessed with a neuropsychological test battery and the Ruff Neurobehavioral Inventory (RNBI). On the neurocognitive test performances no significant between group differences were found, but the MTBI group with PTSD endorsed a significantly greater number of emotional complaints, especially in the RNBI subscales of anxiety and depression. The patients with PTSD also endorsed a significantly greater number of premorbid sequelae in the RNBI emotional composite scale as well as the RNBI premorbid subscales of pain, anxiety and abuse. In sum, PTSD has a negative impact on emotional but not cognitive functioning within individuals suffering from PCD after a mild TBI.


Die Posttraumatische Belastungsstörung verstärkt emotionale Beschwerden, aber nicht kognitive Beeinträchtigungen bei Individuen, die nach einem leichten Schädelhirntrauma an einer postkontusionellen Störung leiden

Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte die Auswirkungen der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (PTBS) auf a) die Leistung in neuropsychologischen Testverfahren und b) selbstberichtete emotionale Beschwerden bei Individuen, die nach einem leichten Schädelhirntrauma (MTBI) an einer postkontusionellen Störung (PCD) leiden. Zwei Stichproben von Individuen mit einem leichten Schädelhirntrauma sowie mit oder ohne PTBS wurden mittels einer neuropsychologischen Testbatterie sowie dem „Ruff Neurobehavioral Inventory” (RNBI) untersucht. Es konnten keine signifikanten Gruppenunterschiede betreffend der neuropsychologischen Testleistung beobachtet werden. Die Gruppe der Individuen mit einem leichten Schädelhirntrauma und PTBS berichtete jedoch signifikant vermehrt emotionale Beschwerden, vor allem auf den RNBI-Subskalen Angst und Depression. Patienten mit PTBS berichteten zudem vermehrt prämorbide Beschwerden im emotionalen Funktionsbereich als auch den RNBI-Subskalen Schmerz, Angst und Missbrauch. Zusammengefasst hat PTBS negative Auswirkungen auf emotionale, aber nicht auf kognitive Funktionen bei Individuen, die nach einem leichten Schädelhirntrauma an einer postkontusionellen Störung leiden.

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