A randomized trial of two treatments for mild traumatic brain injury

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare an education oriented single session treatment SS for mild traumatic brain injury MTBI to a more extensive assessment, education, and treatment as needed intervention TAN. Participants were 111 adults with MTBI who were recruited from consecutive admissions to two hospital emergency wards. They were randomly assigned to either the SS or TAN modality. The groups did not differ on any demographic, injury related, or questionnaire variable when first seen within 3 weeks of injury. The groups generally improved a similar amount and did not differ from each other on any symptom related, functional, or vocational variables 3-4 months after their baseline session. Patient satisfaction ratings with services provided were also similar for the two groups. Brief educational intervention given soon after MTBI appears to be adequate for most MTBI survivors.