%0 Journal Article
%T Acute Relationship between Cognitive and Psychological Symptoms of Patients with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
%A Elaine de Guise
%A Joanne LeBlanc
%A Simon Tinawi
%A Julie Lamoureux
%A Mitra Feyz
%J ISRN Rehabilitation
%D 2012
%R 10.5402/2012/147285
%X Objective. The goal of this study was to explore the relationship between acute psychological reactions and cognition as well as postconcussive symptoms in patients with MTBI. Research Methods. Sociodemographic and medical history data were gathered for 59 patients diagnosed with MTBI. Validated and standardized tools were used to assess anxiety, depression, and cognitive function two weeks after trauma. Postconcussive symptoms were assessed with the Rivermead postconcussive questionnaire. Results. Despite the absence of significant neuropsychological deficits, a very high level of anxiety and depression was observed in our cohort. Level of anxiety and depression were positively related to cognitive performances and to postconcussive symptoms. Moreover, patients with preexisting alcohol and psychological problems were more likely to present with acute depression after MTBI. Conclusions. Early psychological rehabilitation should be provided to decrease the intensity and frequency of postconcussive symptoms and diminish the risk of these problems becoming chronic. 1. Introduction The incidence of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is estimated at 100¨C300/100,000 population per year, representing 70 to 90 percent of all TBIs [1]. This constitutes a substantial number which creates significant pressure on the health system, as considerable time and resources are devoted to the assessment and rehabilitation of these patients by various health specialists. A multitude of symptoms are associated with MTBI, and appropriate intervention should be provided to decrease the frequency and duration of these. Postconcussion syndrome (PCS) includes cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms that some patients experience following MTBI or concussion. The WHO task force summarized the results of several studies on self-reported symptoms after MTBI. The most common symptoms reported after an MTBI were headache, blurred vision, dizziness, subjective memory problems, and other cognitive impairment as well as sleep problems [2]. In most patients, symptoms typically associated with MTBI improve quickly in the first days after the injury and largely resolve over the three-month period following the trauma [3, 4]. Many hypotheses focusing on different medical, psychological, and social issues have been entertained to explain why and who amongst the MTBI population is likely to endure long-term or even permanent symptoms. Among predictive factors of poorer recovery, the presence of past psychiatric problems [3], drug and alcohol abuse [5], financial incentives [6], and
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.rehabilitation/2012/147285/