400 Section - Patterns of Return-to-Work in Adults After Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PT

Presenting Author/Autor expositor(s)

BP

Bianca M. Perry, BA

Master's Student
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Co-Author/Coautor(s)

SM

Samantha J. McIntosh, MSc

Medical Student
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
LP

Linden Penner, MSc

Medical Student
University of Alberta
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Mackenzie J. Hancock, BSc

Master's Student
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
KC

Kathryn J. Crowder, MD, MSc

Research Director
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
AS

Amir Sanati-Nezhad, PhD

Associate Professor
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Chantel T. Debert, MD, MSc

Associate Professor
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Objectives :

Objectives: Globally, an estimated 69 million people experience traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year, with mild TBIs (mTBIs) comprising 80–90% of cases. Although considered mild, mTBI can result in functional challenges, including delayed return to work (RTW). This study examined the proportion of individuals who returned to their pre-injury working capacity at 1 and 3 months and evaluated changes in the Work Ability Index (WAI) during recovery.

Design:

Design: Adults (18–65 years) with mTBI (ACRM 2023 criteria) were recruited from the Foothills Medical Centre Emergency Department (Calgary, AB) within 7 days of injury. Participant demographics, injury characteristics, symptom severity and the WAI were collected. Working capacity was assessed through the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale. Descriptive statistics and a linear mixed-effects model evaluated changes in work, physical, and cognitive abilities up to 3 months post-injury.

Results:

Results: As part of the Ready Assessment of Prognostic Indicators and Diagnostics Concussion Study, 193 adults were enrolled, and 180 were working (44% female, M = 38.5 ± 13.4 years). At one month, 117 participants remained; 70 (60%) returned to their previous working capacity. By three months, 105 participants remained and 80% returned to their previous working capacity. The 20% who had not returned were significantly older (p=.012, d=0.64). Work ability improved significantly over time (F2, 23.07 =9.54, p< .001), with large within-person variance at each timepoint (UN≈9.4–13.0). Physical ability increased later in recovery (F2, 39.92 =15.38, p< .001), while cognitive ability improved more gradually (F2, 30.67 =5.93, p=.007).

Conclusion:

Conclusion: Although individuals returned to work and showed improvements in physical and cognitive abilities over the first 3 months post-injury, recovery trajectories differed widely. Targeted rehabilitation strategies are essential to address diverse recovery needs and optimize RTW outcomes after mTBI in adults.