Neuropsychological Assessment and Cognitive Retraining of Deficit Cognitive Functioning in a Case of Head Injury

Head injury may result in a confusing array of physical and psychological changes. It leads subtle and temporary lapses in ability and behavior. We evaluated a case of head injury with the help of neuropsychological battery and treated with cognitive retraining. A 53-year-old male working as a stenographer with well-adjusted premorbid personality without family history of any psychiatric illness was brought with the complaints of forgetfulness, unable to concentrate on one thing, for last 3 years. On detailed history patient reported that he had been a victim of road traffic accident around seven years back and had a head injury at that time, for which neurosurgery was also performed. To assess his current level of cognitive functioning, and to assess the cognitive impairments in various lobe functions, NIMHANS Neuropsychological Battery was administered. His attention, concentration, comprehension, visual and verbal memory was found to be moderately impaired on test findings, which were affecting his day-to-day functioning. Mild impairment was also found on visual spatial perception. Result demonstrated mild to moderate level of impairments in the functioning of temporal lobe, parietal lobe and in frontal lobe functioning. Cognitive retraining was done for the required cognitive functions and improvement found in follow up sessions.