The many faces of stigma after Acquired Brain Injury: a systematic review.

Background Stigma after Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) has been described as a significant obstacle for the recovery of survivors. Despite its theoretical and clinical relevance, studies dedicated to stigma after ABI are just starting to emerge. The goal of this systematic review was to integrate the existing scientific evidence and develop a model of stigma after brain injury that can guide interventions at different levels. Method Three electronic databases were employed. A search strategy was adapted for each database. Articles that explored stigma in adult ABI populations were included. All articles used quantitative, qualitative or mixed method designs and were published in English, Spanish or Portuguese. Results A total of 21 articles were selected. They considered three types of stigma after ABI: (1) self-stigma, (2) stigma-by-association and (3) public stigma. It was also found that information can be processed at implicit and explicit levels across all three forms of stigma. Definitions of each type of stigma used with ABIs are provided as well as related concepts and theoretical frameworks employed. Evidence emerging from different forms of stigma after ABI is summarised. Conclusion Research on stigma after ABI is heterogeneous, and existing studies have explored its impact at individual, family and public levels. A model of stigma after ABI should consider all these levels as well as the interactions that can occur between them. Future studies should explore how to incorporate stigma management as part of neuropsychological rehabilitation programs.

The contribution of executive functions to the process of return to work after brain injury: A systematic review.

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is a worldwide public health issue for its high prevalence rate and the disability it produces. The consequences of ABI, including cognitive deficits, may impact return to work. This review focuses on the association between executive functions (EFs) and return to work after ABI. A systematic review of the literature between 1998 and 2023 was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The articles were retrieved from the Pubmed, Medline and Web of Science databases. A total of 49 studies were finally selected. Impairments of EF were consistently shown to have a negative impact on return to work after an ABI. There is evidence that specific executive functions and neurobehavioral variables may affect return to work Studies showed a significant theoretical and methodological heterogeneity, representing an important limitation to understand the relation between EFs and work. There is a robust association between EFs and return to work after brain injury. Findings in this systematic review raise the need for further research on the role of specific EF profiles in the process of returning to work after brain damage.