| Learning Objective #1: Describe the most frequently reported symptoms sequelae from a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) in patients with an Axis 1 psychiatric admission diagnosis | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Identify frequently reported causes of MTBI |
Objective: To describe frequently reported symptoms sequelae from a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) in patients ages 18 to 65 (M=37, SD=9.46), with an Axis 1 psychiatric admission diagnosis.
Design: Descriptive
Population, Sample, Setting, Years: The population is patients who sustained MTBI and admitted to a psychiatric hospital with an Axis 1 psychiatric admission. The sample (n=21) comprise patients, ages 18 to 65. Patients were screened for a positive history of MTBI.
Concept of Variables Studied Together or Intervention and Outcome Variables: History of MTBI. MTBI is a transient disturbance of neuronal function, which may include loss of consciousness less than 30 minutes or confusion less than one hour. Cognitive, physical, and psychological symptoms experienced by the patient after the MTBI. Axis 1 psychiatric admission as defined by DSM III.
Methods: Using a face-to-face interview with the patient and/or family, data were obtained on cognitive, physical, and psychological symptoms experienced by the patient following MTBI.
Findings: The MTBI resulted from sports-related activities (37%), motor vehicle accident (17%), fall (13%), or other (20%). Six patients (29%) reported multiple head injuries. The most frequent cognitive impairments were planning (86%), attention (86%), memory (82%), organization (82%), judgment (73%) and initiation (71%). The most frequent psychological symptoms were depression (95.5%), anxiety (91%), emotional lability (86%), agitation (82%), and frustration tolerance (77%).
Conclusions: The results suggest that psychiatric patients with a history of MTBI may be vulnerable to cognitive impairments and psychological symptoms. Neuropsychiatric evaluation should be conducted when patients report a history of MTBI to identify neurological deficits.
Implications: Given the cognitive and psychological deficits reported by most adult psychiatric patients, who reported a positive history of MTBI, there is a need to assess patients for MTBI. Through diagnostic tests, a treatment approach that considers MTBI as a factor in deficits could be considered.
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Back to 14th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
10-12 July 2003