Neuropsychological support to relatives of patients with severe traumatic brain injury in the sub-acute phase

Abstract

Many studies have reported emotional distress in relatives of patients with brain injury, but few studies have investigated neuropsychological interventions for relatives. The present study assessed the amount of neuropsychological support as well as the actual number of sessions with a neuropsychologist during rehabilitation in a sub-acute unit. The study also examined whether the amount of support was related to the condition of the patient or the relative at admission. The sample consisted of 26 patients and their closest relative, and measures included demographic variables as well as characteristics related to the patient: Glasgow Coma Scale, Injury Severity Score, Early Functional Abilities, Functional Independence Measure, Rancho Los Amigos; and to the relative: symptoms of anxiety and depression (SCL-90-R), quality of life (SF-36) and amount and number of sessions of neuropsychological support. On average, the relatives received about 18 units of 15 minutes and had six sessions with a neuropsychologist during hospitalisation. A total of 38% participated in group sessions. Relatives' symptoms of anxiety at admission were associated with the number of sessions as well as the amount of support, indicating that relatives with more symptoms of anxiety received more support during the hospitalisation.

Keywords:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Relatives
• Neuropsychological support
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Quality of life

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all participants in the study and additionally acknowledge the support of the staff at the Department of Neurorehabilitation, Traumatic Brain Injury Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Glostrup.

We also thank our colleagues John Whyte and Tessa Hart, Moss Rehabilitation Institute, Philadelphia, USA, for kind permission to use data on neuropsychological support in this study.

The study was funded by grants from Oestifterne Association and Aase and Ejnar Danielsens Foundation.