A - 135 The Relationship between Executive Functioning and Psychological Outcomes Post Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Abstract

Cognitive outcomes post mTBI are well-researched, but the relationship between executive functioning and psychiatric outcomes have received much less attention. This study explored emotional outcomes of individuals who sustained a mTBI and the potential relationship to executive functioning. A research study by Zainal & Newman (2021) found that older adults with severe depression and anxiety experienced increased inflammation, which potentially resulted in reduced executive functioning. mTBI is also associated with inflammation - potentially providing a compound effect or interaction. Additional research is needed to clarify the potential compound impact of mTBI and depression and anxiety might have upon cognition. 185 individuals were extracted from an archival clinical database of neuropsychological evaluations of individuals noting deficits following mTBI. Executive functioning was measured using Trail Making Test B (TMT-B). Emotional distress was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). A Multiple Linear Regression was used to assess the impact of emotional distress (BAI and BDI) upon executive functioning performance (TMT-B) in this population. Regression analysis identified a relationship between emotional distress upon executive functioning that approached significance (p = 0.057; r^2 = 0.031). These findings are consistent with previous literature suggesting a modest relationship between emotional distress and executive functioning - this time in a sample with mTBI population. Specific injury, resilience, and other confounding factors to clarify the actual risk and relationship is warranted.