NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOM PRESENTATION AFTER ELECTRICAL INJURY

Objective: This study explored the relationship of neuropsychological complaints to accident- and injury-related characteristics, affective state, and work status in a group of electrical injury (EI) patients. Methods: Sixty-three EI patients and 22 electricians with no history o f electrical shock completed the Neuropsychological Symptom Checklist and the Beck Depression Inventory as part of an extensive neuropsychol ogical evaluation, Results: The EI group endorsed significantly more p hysical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms than did the controls. Symp tom complaints were not related to injury parameters or litigation sta tus. Only the time interval between injury and assessment accounted fo r differences in symptom presentation, with patients in the postacute stages of recovery showing the most cognitive and emotional complaints . Conclusion: The neuropsychological syndrome of electrical injury sur vival includes physical, cognitive, and emotional complaints. Consider ing that most electrically injured patients are treated within the acu te medical setting, greater attention needs to be directed early in th e course of treatment toward addressing neuropsychologic and psychiatr ic issues.