Long‐term neuropsychological deficits after traumatic head injury with comatosis

Studied neuropsychological deficits in a population who had sustained traumatic head injuries of the concussive type. Experimental S s were 48 adults who had been comatose and hospitalized during the 3‐year period that preceded the study. Control S s ( N = 16) had been hospitalized due to other types of injuries and had not been comatose. S s were recalled and administered the Halstead‐Reitan Battery, Trail Making Test, WAIS, and various questionnaires. Significant differences between experimental and control S s were found that indicated persistence of neuropsychological dysfunctions. Groups of S s who had sustained long comas performed more poorly than those who had short comas, which indicated that duration of coma was an important factor.