Mental fatigue mediates the relationship between cognitive functions and return to productive activity following traumatic brain injury: a mediation analysis

Pin Yuan Chen, Shu Hua Hsieh, Che Kuang Lin, Li Wei, Yu Kai Su, Pei Shan Tsai, Hsiao Yean Chiu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

PURPOSE: We performed a mediation analysis to investigate how mental fatigue mediates the relationship between cognitive functions and the return to productive activity following TBI.

METHODS: One hundred and one people (≥20 years) with first-time TBI more than 3 months who completed a series of cognitive tasks followed by Chinese versions of the Mental Fatigue Scale and Community Integration Questionnaire-Revised. Mediation analysis was used to test our hypotheses.

RESULTS: Recognition memory and information processing speed were the only cognitive functions correlated with mental fatigue (B = -0.56 and -0.37, P = .04 and < 0.001) and the return to productive activity (B = 0.69 and 0.19, both P < .001) after controlling for confounders. Mental fatigue partially mediated the associations of recognition memory and information processing speed with the return to productive activity (B = 0.15 and 0.08, P = .001 and < 0.001, proportion of mediation = 22% and 46%) after the adjustment of confounders.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that mental fatigue can partially mediate the relationship between cognitive deficits and return to productive activity. Mental fatigue can be considered a crucial, treatable mediator of the adverse effects of cognitive impairment upon return to productive activity following TBI.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)32-38
Number of pages7
JournalBrain Injury
Volume36
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2 2022

Keywords

  • Cognitive functions
  • mental fatigue
  • return to productive activity
  • traumatic brain injury
  • Mediation Analysis
  • Humans
  • Brain Injuries, Traumatic/complications
  • Cognitive Dysfunction
  • Cognition
  • Mental Fatigue/etiology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Neuroscience (miscellaneous)

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