A recent study suggests that 15% to 30% of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) patients exhibit the risk of developing post-concussional syndrome (PCS). According to researchers, the study sought to pinpoint the potential contributions of cognitive, behavioral, and social factors to the development of PCS. Researchers add that the study also aimed to identify early predictors of PCS,

The study reportedly encompassed 126 MTBI patients, who completed baseline questionnaire assessments within 2-week of injury. Researchers report that 107 study participants completed follow-up questionnaire assessments at 3 months and at 6 months. The study notes that researchers used a series of self-report measures to analyze cognitive, behavioral, and emotional responses to MTBI. The results indicate that the primary outcome yielded from the ICD-10 diagnosis of PCS. Researchers reportedly compared demographic and clinical characteristic variables to PCS cases and non-cases. Researchers add that they used individual and multivariate logistic regression analysis to pinpoint predictors of PCS.

The study’s results report that of the 107 MTBI patients, 22% exhibited the criteria for PCS at 3 months and 21% exhibited the criteria at 6 months. According to researchers, the individual logistic regression analysis indicated a link between and the risk of developing PCS and negative MTBI perceptions, stress, anxiety, depression, and extreme “all-or-nothing,” behavior.

The results also indicate that the multivariate analysis spotlighted “all-or-nothing” behavior as a key predictor for the development of PCS at 3 months. Negative MTBI perceptions reportedly predicted the onset of PCS at 6 months.

Researchers conclude that the study participants’ perceptions of their head injury and behavioral responses may play key roles in the development of PCS. 

Source: PubMed