Faculty Articles

Treatment of Post-Concussion Syndrome Following Mild Head Injury.

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology

ISSN

1380-3395

Publication Date

12-2001

Abstract

Approximately 38% of patients who sustain head trauma characterized by a brief disturbance of consciousness and clinically unremarkable neuroradiologic findings meet International Classification of Diseases 10th edition (ICD-10) diagnostic criteria for postconcussion syndrome (PCS). Physicians treat a majority of cases with nonsteroidal analgesics or antidepressants, and refer about 40% for psychological consultation. Psychological treatment typically involves education, reassurance, and reattribution of symptoms to benign causes. A review of controlled treatment outcome studies conducted over the past 2 decades in Scandinavia, Great Britain, Canada, and the United States suggests that early single session treatment can prevent the syndrome as effectively as traditional outpatient therapy. Several standardized, empirically supported treatment manuals are available.

DOI

10.1076/jcen.23.6.829.1022

Volume

33

Issue

6

First Page

829

Last Page

836

Peer Reviewed

Find in your library

Share

COinS