Using a temporal discounting paradigm to measure decision-making and impulsivity following traumatic brain injury: A pilot study

Authors: McHugh, Louise; Wood, Rodger

Source: Brain Injury, Volume 22, Number 9, August 2008 , pp. 715-721(7)

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Abstract:

Primary objective: This study reports on a pilot study using a temporal discounting paradigm and a standardized impulsivity questionnaire to examine decision-making in a group of brain injured patients and age matched controls. Methods and procedures: Participants were asked to choose between a larger reward available at a specified time in the future and smaller reward available immediately. Outcome and results: Each of the two groups demonstrated temporal discounting; that is, the subjective value of the reward decreased with increasing delay. However, the TBI group discounted more than the controls, suggesting that their decision-making was more impulsive. Conclusion: The results suggest that a temporal discounting paradigm might be a useful method of assessing decision-making after head trauma, especially in cases where capacity to make decisions about financial awards is an issue or in respect of money management generally.

Keywords: Temporal discounting; traumatic brain injury; decision-making; impulsivity

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02699050802263027

Affiliations: 1: Brain Injury Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Wales Swansea, UK

Publication date: 2008-08-01

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