Neuropsychological Measures of Processing Speed and Executive Functioning in Combat Veterans with PTSD, TBI, and Comorbid TBI/PTSD

摘要

An increasing number of troops have returned from U.S. military Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/ OEF) presenting with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a recent survey,1 19% of OIF/OEF veterans reported a probable TBI, and 14% met screening criteria for PTSD. TBI and PTSD have been referred to as the "signature wounds" of OIF/OEF.TBI victims may experience cognitive problems in domains such as attention and concentration, learning and memory, executive functioning, reason, and judgment.3 These problems can interfere with daily functioning and impede recovery. A specific facet of cognition affected by TBI is information processing speed. In a meta-analysis of TBI research since 1995, processing speed measures had the largest effect size (g = .47, P < .001) in influencing neuropsychological functioning in the post acute phase of mild TBI.