Abstract for presentation at 6th World Congress on Brain Injury

Use of an Information Booklet following Mild Head Injury

  • Professor Jennie Ponsford, Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Australia
  • Ms Catherine Willmott, Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Australia
  • Mr Andrew Rothwell, Julia Farr Services, Australia
  • Prof Peter Cameron, Monash University, Australia
  • Prof Ann-Maree Kelly, University of Melbourne, Australia

    • The impact of mild head injury (MHI) is variable and determinants of outcome remain poorly understood. Results of previous intervention studies have been mixed. Objectives:This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an information booklet upon outcome measured in terms of reported symptoms, cognitive performance and psychological adjustment three months after mild head injury.
    Methods: Eighty-four adults with MHI (mean age = 26.4 years) alternately assigned to the Intervention Group, were assessed one week and three months post-injury, and 126 mild TBI adults assigned to the Non-Intervention Control group (mean age = 29.1 years) were seen at three months post-injury only. Participants completed measures of pre-injury psychological adjustment (SCL 90-R), concurrent life stresses (Holmes Rahe Survey of Life Events), post-concussion symptoms (PCSC) and tests of IQ, attention, speed of information processing and memory (NART, four-choice reaction time, WAIS-R Digit Span and Digit Symbol subtests, PASAT, SCOLP Speed of Comprehension subtest and the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test). MHI subjects seen at one week were also given an information booklet outlining symptoms associated with mild head injury and suggested coping strategies. Those seen at three months post-injury only did not receive this booklet.
    Results: Results indicated that the MHI Intervention group seen at one week and given the information booklet reported fewer symptoms overall and was significantly less stressed at three months post injury.
    Conclusions: It would appear that provision of an information booklet reduces anxiety and reporting of ongoing problems following MHI. This booklet has now been trialed in the Emergency Departments of most hospitals in the state of Victoria. A survey of recipients has been conducted, revealing high levels of satisfaction with the booklet. The booklet has since been distributed worldwide and has been translated into several languages.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd