Two-point discrimination following traumatic brain injury

Abstract

This study investigated two point discrimination (TPD) perception in survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Inpatient and outpatient survivors of severe TBI and age-matched healthy controls aged between 16 and 65 years were included in the study with a mean TPD of 3.61, 3.41 and 2.61 mm respectively. Significant group effects were seen in TPD between subjects with TBI and controls. TPD deficits did not appear to be influenced by GCS or PTA duration, nor did they show evidence of improvement over time. Similarly, CT scan data did not explain the observed TPD differences in TBI survivors. Admission functional independence measure (FIM), a global measure of functional independence, had a strong negative correlation with TPD. The lack of change in TPD over time mirrors other basic markers of neurological recovery but is at odds with TBI outcome literature reporting continuing improvements in function for at least 5 years post injury.