SEXUAL ADJUSTMENT AND ITS PREDICTORS AFTER TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on sexual ability, activity and satisfaction and to rela te the findings to neurological status, functioning and well-being. A total of 92 TBI persons (65 men, 27 women) participated. Their ages ra nged from 20-70 years (median 40 years); the median age at injury was 32 years, ranging from 16-56 years. The elapsed time since injury rang ed from 1-20 years (median 9 years). The participants were examined ac cording to a procedure including neurological examination, self-assess ment of general health status and functioning and mooed, and collectio n of data on social conditions. A structured study-specific questionna ire was developed to assess various aspects of sexuality before and af ter the injury. Fifty-three of the participants had a stable partner r elationship at the time of the investigation. This study showed that a TBI commonly alters sexual functioning as well as desire. Many of the respondents reported decreased ability to achieve an erection, decrea sed ability to experience orgasm, decreased sexual desire and diminish ed frequency of intercourse. A high degree of physical independence an d maintained sexual ability were the most important predictors for sex ual adjustment. Considering that many TBI persons in this study report ed physiological sexual disturbances and decreased sexual ability, it is important to inform. patients about possibilities of optimizing the ir sexual ability. Organized programmes of sexuality education should be an integral component of TBI rehabilitation.