Brief Cognitive Behavioral Interventions in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Author(s)

Lori Jean Miller, Nova Southeastern University
Wiley Mittenberg, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Applied Neuropsychology

ISSN

0908-4282

Publication Date

1998

Abstract

Postconcussion syndrome is a common and persisting consequence of mild traumatic head injury. The development of treatments for the syndrome has been hampered by a lack of consensus in diagnostic criteria, confusion about the relative contribution of psychological and neurologic etiological factors, and a paucity of controlled treatment outcome studies. In this article, we review the literature relevant to prevention and treatment of persisting postconcussive symptoms. Studies in adults and children suggest that although symptoms may initially have a neurologic basis, the syndrome persists because of psychological factors. Brief psychological treatment appears to significantly reduce the severity and duration of symptoms following mild head trauma. The attribution of persisting symptoms to organic factors conversely appears to be iatrogenic. Potentially useful diagnostic and treatment protocols are outlined.

DOI

10.1207/s15324826an0504_2

Volume

5

Issue

4

First Page

172

Last Page

183

NSUWorks Citation

Miller, L. J., Mittenberg, W. (1998). Brief Cognitive Behavioral Interventions in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Applied Neuropsychology, 5(4), 172-183.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/148