ABSTRACT

TBI and PTSD occur in a significant number of service members and can each result in considerable distress and cognitive challenges. Past research has established the individual impact of mild TBI (mTBI) and PTSD on cognitive performance; however, findings regarding the combined effects of mTBI and PTSD on cognitive performance are inconsistent. The present study examined the potentially synergistic effects of mTBI and PTSD symptoms on cognitive performance in a sample of 180 treatment-seeking active duty service members. As part of a larger clinical study, participants completed several self-report measures and an objective cognitive assessment via computer-based testing. Compared to norms, service members with mTBI-only, PTSD-symptoms-only, and comorbid TBI and PTSD performed significantly worse on cognitive tests, and there was a significant effect of group on cognitive performance, even when controlling for performance validity. Notably, individuals experiencing both mTBI and PTSD performed worse than those with either condition alone; service members with mTBI-only and those with PTSD symptoms-only did not differ. Findings further illustrate the complexity of the relationship between these two conditions, indicating comorbid mTBI and PTSD may represent a unique challenge to cognitive performance. Additional research is needed to clarify their combined impact on post-injury functioning.

 抽象的

TBI 和 PTSD 发生在大量服役人员中，并且都可能导致相当大的痛苦和认知挑战。过去的研究已经确定了轻度 TBI (mTBI) 和 PTSD 对认知表现的个体影响；然而，关于 mTBI 和 PTSD 对认知表现的综合影响的研究结果并不一致。本研究以 180 名寻求治疗的现役军人为样本，研究了 mTBI 和 PTSD 症状对认知表现的潜在协同效应。作为更大规模临床研究的一部分，参与者通过基于计算机的测试完成了多项自我报告测量和客观认知评估。与正常人相比，仅患有 mTBI、仅患有 PTSD 症状以及患有 TBI 和 PTSD 的军人在认知测试中的表现明显较差，并且即使在控制表现有效性时，群体对认知表现也有显着影响。值得注意的是，同时经历 mTBI 和 PTSD 的人比单独患有其中任何一种情况的人表现更差。仅患有 mTBI 的军人和仅患有 PTSD 症状的军人没有差异。研究结果进一步说明了这两种情况之间关系的复杂性，表明 mTBI 和 PTSD 共存可能对认知能力构成独特的挑战。需要进行更多研究来阐明它们对受伤后功能的综合影响。