Multidisciplinary interventions increase weekly working hours and quality of life in persons with post-concussion syndrome

ABSTRACT

Objectives

To improve labor market attachment, general health and quality of life in persons suffering from post-concussion syndrome. Labor market attachment often changes after mTBI, and especially in persons suffering from post-concussion syndrome, and constitutes a huge societal burden.

Methods

Eighty-two adults with persistent post-concussion syndrome participated in this single-center and uncontrolled interventional efficacy open-label investigation. The primary endpoint was to increase weekly working hours. Outcome measures ranged from self-reported cognitive symptoms to objective performance testing. Multidisciplinary interventions were used to reduce symptoms of fatigue, stress, pain, oculomotor malfunction, and sensitivity to both sound and light.

Results

Workhours improved from median 0 to 6 hours (p = 0.00002). Several significant improvements were observed in quality of life measured by the SF-36. General fatigue measured by the MFI-20 was reduced (p < 0.0001), and symptoms of depression were reduced (p < 0.0001). The COPM results were improved for task completion satisfaction and for ability to perform a task (p < 0.0001). Reading speed, and performances in the Groffman Visual Tracing Test and the King-Devick Test, all improved (p < 0.01). The intervention did not reduce perception of pain intensity (p = 0.11).

Conclusion

After the intervention, participants increased weekly workhours and improved in many aspects of life – including quality of life, performance in everyday activities, fatigue and depression. Perception of pain intensity was not improved.

KEYWORDS:

• Commotio
• mTBI
• postconcussion syndrome
• therapy
• multidisciplinary intervention

Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the Center for Special Education (CSU), Slagelse, Denmark.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The study has been supported by the Center for Special Education (CSU), Slagelse, Denmark.