Cognitive and psychological interventions for the reduction of post-concussion symptoms in patients with mild traumatic brain injury: a systematic review
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of cognitive and psychological interventions for the reduction of post-concussion symptoms (PCS) in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). DATA SOURCES: The databases of CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. REVIEW METHODS: Meta-analysis was conducted for randomized-controlled trials that have included an assessment of PCS using the Rivermead Post-concussion Symptoms Questionnaire as primary outcomes by calculating the mean difference/standardized mean difference using fixed/random effect models as appropriate. RESULTS: Systematic review with the date of the last search in Mar 2018 yielded 16080 articles, 17 articles including 3081 participants were included in the final review. Interventions included psychoeducation (n = 8), telephone problem-solving treatment (n = 4), individual-based cognitive behavioral therapy (n = 4), and cognitive training (n = 1). No intervention is effective in reducing PCS at 3 to 6 months follow-up, however, an overall small effect size was found in pooled functional outcomes at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: There was no effect on symptom reduction at 3 to 6 months for PCS interventions but improved functional outcomes were shown for patients with MTBI at 6 months. Long-lasting effects of interventions at 12 months or after were not studied.
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Two systematic reviews found no support for the effectiveness of CBT on PPCS and functional disability.
“two systematic reviews27 34 both found no support for the effectiveness of CBT on PPCS and functional disability.”
From Acceptance and commitment therapy for mild traumatic brain injury (ACTion-mTBI): a quasiexperimental feasibility study (2025) · cites this paper as [34]
These findings are also consistent with previous evidence suggesting the effects of CBT may be more specific to mental health and do not generalise to improve mTBI outcomes.
“These findings are also consistent with previous evidence suggesting the effects of CBT may be more specific to mental health and do not generalise to improve mTBI outcomes.27 28 34”
From Acceptance and commitment therapy for mild traumatic brain injury (ACTion-mTBI): a quasiexperimental feasibility study (2025) · cites this paper as [34]
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Management of Psychological Complications Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
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- Authors
- Teo, S. H., Fong, K. N. K., Chen, Z., & Chung, R. C. K.
- Affiliations
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK)
- National University Hospital (SG)
- Corresponding author
- Fong, Kenneth N. K.
- Venue
- Brain Injury
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2020-08-10
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1305-1321
- ISSN
- 0269-9052 (ISSN-L)
- 1362-301X
- OpenAlex
- W3048158940
- Cited by
- 39
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 0.88
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Brain Injury (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PolyU Institutional Research Archive (Hong Kong Polytechnic University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Traumatic Brain Injury Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
- Keywords
- mild traumatic brain injury, post-concussion symptoms, cognitive intervention, psychological intervention, psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive training, Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire, functional outcome
- MeSH terms
- Psychosocial Intervention, Brain Concussion, Cognition, Humans, Post-Concussion Syndrome
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