Management of Psychological Complications Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Purpose of review: It has been clear for decades that psychological factors often contribute to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) outcome, but an emerging literature has begun to clarify which specific factors are important, when, for whom, and how they impact recovery. This review aims to summarize the contemporary evidence on psychological determinants of recovery from mTBI and its implications for clinical management.

Recent findings: Comorbid mental health disorders and specific illness beliefs and coping behaviors (e.g., fear avoidance) are associated with worse recovery from mTBI. Proactive assessment and intervention for psychological complications can improve clinical outcomes. Evidence-based treatments for primary mental health disorders are likely also effective for treating mental health disorders after mTBI, and can reduce overall post-concussion symptoms. Broad-spectrum cognitive-behavioral therapy may modestly improve post-concussion symptoms, but tailoring delivery to individual psychological risk factors and/or symptoms may improve its efficacy. Addressing psychological factors in treatments delivered primarily by non-psychologists is a promising and cost-effective approach for enhancing clinical management of mTBI. Recent literature emphasizes a bio-psycho-socio-ecological framework for understanding mTBI recovery and a precision rehabilitation approach to maximize recovery. Integrating psychological principles into rehabilitation and tailoring interventions to specific risk factors may improve clinical management of mTBI.

Keywords: Brain concussion; Mental health; Post-concussion symptoms; Precision medicine; Psychological factors; Treatment.