Mixed messages from the ‘Mild Traumatic Brain Injury’ and ‘Sport-related Concussion’ literatures: Clinical implications

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The Sport-related Concussion (SRC) literature has three areas of emphasis which in some circumstances can be detrimental to the recovery of a patient after a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). These include the role of organic factors in post-concussion symptoms, the need to be asymptomatic to return to play and the later-life complications of sustaining multiple MTBIs. These contrast with quite different emphases in the broader MTBI literature and can cause significant anxiety for some patients with prolonged post-concussion symptoms (PCS).

Methods: This paper presents for the first time a case where such factors operated.

Results: Five sessions of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) to address these elements resulted in the complete amelioration of persisting PCS.

Conclusions: Anxiety due to maladaptive cognitions influenced by the ‘mixed messages' from the SRC literature can exacerbate or solely maintain persisting PCS but may be successfully addressed with CBT.

KEYWORDS:

• Mild traumatic brain injury
• sport-related concussion
• CBT treatment
• post-concussion symptoms

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest