Design of an early intervention for persistent post-concussion symptoms in adolescents and young adults: A feasibility study

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

About 5–15 % of patients with concussion experience persistent post-concussion symptoms (PCS) longer than 3 months post-injury.

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the feasibility of a new intervention for young patients with persistent PCS and long-term changes after intervention.

METHODS:

Thirty-two consecutive patients (15–30 years) with persistent PCS 2–4 months post-injury were recruited from a cohort study or referred to a non-randomized feasibility study of an individually tailored, 8-week, multidisciplinary intervention. Assessment was performed at baseline, end of intervention (EOI), and at 3- and 12-month follow-up (FU). Main measures were The Experience of Service Questionnaire (ESQ), Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) and The Quality of Life after Brain Injury - Overall Scale (QOLIBRI-OS).

RESULTS:

Twenty-three (72%) patients completed the intervention. The ESQ demonstrated high patient satisfaction. There was a decrease of PCS and an increase in quality of life from baseline to EOI: RPQ score –8.9 points, 95% CI 4.5 to 13.3, p < 0.001; QOLIBRI-OS score +10.5 points, 95% CI 2.5 to 18.5, p = 0.010. Improvement was maintained at 3- and 12-month FU.

CONCLUSION:

The new early intervention is feasible and may prevent chronification of PCS. An RCT is currently performed to evaluate the effect of the intervention.