cqvip:Objective: To investigate the factors contributing to deficit inself-awarenes s following acquired brain injury and to study change in self-awareness during a group support program.Methods: Sixty-two patients (mean age: 35.4±15.3 years ) attending our Service (295±525 days after injury) were includedin the study ( 41 of them had sustained a head injury). Thirty-six patients were admitted to a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program including a group support program desi gned to improve self-awareness deficits. All patients were assessed with the Pa tient Competency Rating Scale as a measure of self-awareness and with a broad r ange of neuropsychological tests, checklists of psychopathological symptoms, and several functional scales. Results: Thirty patients showed high levels of selfa wareness while 32 showed impaired self-awareness. Patients with appropriate per ception of their deficits showed less psychopathological symptoms, better neurop sychological functionand higher functional independence than those with impaired SA (Student’s t test, p < 0.05). Both groups improved, but with different patt erns, after rehabilitation (MANOVA, p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis reve aled that cognitive status was predictive of level of self-awareness. Conclusio n: The level of self-awareness after acquired brain injury is a useful prognost ic index of the neuropsychological, psychopathological and functional status of the patient. We recommend the evaluation of this symptom after acquired brain in jury due to its clinical relevance.
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