Insight and progress in rehabilitation after brain injury

Abstract

The importance of insight processes after brain injury is stressed. Research in a general rehabilitation population has shown relations between insight and rehabilitation gain only when insight is defined in terms of pessimism or optimism, with optimists making more progress. The aim of this study was to examine these findings within a brain-injured population. Eighteen subjects with acquired brain injury completed ratings across four domains of function: cognitive, physical, executive and psychosocial. These ratings were compared with professional ratings on the same scales. Despite the use of carefully defined and measured indices of insight, no correlations were found with rehabilitation gain. Previous studies are re-examined in the light of these findings and it is concluded that the concept of insight requires further elaboration and research before definitive statements can be made about its influence on rehabilitation gain.

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