Brain Injury
Clinical Practice (assessment, diagnosis, treatment, knowledge translation/EBP, implementation science, program development)
Oral Presentation
Silje Fure, MD
Doctoral candidate
Oslo University Hospital
Nesoddtangen, Akershus
Emilie Howe, Cand. Psych.
Doctoral candidate
Oslo University Hospital
Oslo, Oslo
Cecilie Røe, M.D., PhD.,
Head of Department, Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Oslo University Hospital
Oslo, Oslo
Torgeir Hellstrøm, M.D.
Consulting M.D.
Oslo University Hospital
Oslo, Oslo
Tonje Haug Nordenmark, Cand. Psych.
Clinical neuropsychologist
Oslo University Hospital
Oslo, Oslo
Helene Ugelstad, Head of Department
Head of Department
The Norwegian labour and welfare administration
Oslo, Oslo
Heidi Enehaug, Senior researcher
Senior researcher
Oslo Metropolitan University
Oslo, Oslo
Øystein Spjelkavik, Senior researcher
Senior researcher
Oslo Metropolitan University
Oslo, Oslo
Marianne Løvstad, PhD
Head psychologist, Associate professor II
Sunnaas rehabilitation hospital / University of Oslo
Bjørnemyr, Akershus
Nada Andelic, M.D., PhD, Professor
Head of research and development
Oslo University Hospital / University of Oslo
Oslo, Oslo
This session will present baseline data from 116 patients with mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury. The patients are included in an ongoing RCT examining the efficacy of a combined cognitive and vocational intervention and were assessed 2-4 months following the injury. Inclusion criteria included sick leave due to persistent post-concussive symptoms. For this presentation, we will focus on demographic and work-related information, self-reported symptoms, emotional status and quality of life.
Objective : Describe baseline characteristics of patients with mild-to-moderate TBI participating in an ongoing randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03092713).
Design : Randomized controlled trial.
Setting : Outpatient clinic and community setting (work-place).
Participants (or Animals, Specimens, Cadavers) : Patients aged 18-60 years with mild-to-moderate TBI employed in a minimum 50% position and sick-listed 50% or more due to post-concussive symptoms 2 months post-injury. Baseline assessment was completed before randomization.Â
Interventions : Combined manualized cognitive rehabilitation and supported employment.
Main Outcome Measure(s):
Time until return to work, work stability and -productivity. Self-reported symptoms (Rivermead Post Concussion Questionnaire, RPQ), emotional function (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, GAD-7), and quality of life (EQ-5D VAS).
Results:
Baseline data was obtained from 96 patients (57% females, mean age 42 years) of whom 97% had sustained a mild TBI (GCS 13-15). Twenty-six (27%) had findings on MRI or CT. Causes of injury were falls (46%), transport accidents (24%), violence (7%), and other (23%). Eighty-six patients were employed in permanent positions and worked full-time at the time of injury. Mean years in current position was 7 (SD 7) and 58% were employed in the private sector. At inclusion, 63 were on 100% sick leave.
Mean total RPQ-score was 28 (SD 11) representing increased symptom burden. Mean scores on PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were 10 (SD 5) and 6 (SD 5), respectively, indicating mild to moderate emotional distress. Mean score on the EQ-5D VAS was 53, indicating decreased quality of life.
Conclusions:
Preliminary results from the baseline assessment demonstrate that consequences of mild-to-moderate TBI should be recognized and treated with targeted interventions to improve employment outcome and reduce symptom burden. Updated results will be presented at the conference. Â
