Symptoms and Disability after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Five-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Every year, many people suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) with dramatic consequences for both the victim and their close relatives in the form of remaining lifelong symptoms and functional disabilities as a result. METHODS: This study evaluates the outcomes of 49 patients after mild TBI (mTBI) at follow-up after 5 years by using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) to assess post-TBI symptoms and the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) to assess disability. The specific aim was to evaluate post-TBI characteristics concerning age, gender, pre-injury systemic disease, computed tomography (CT) result and additional TBIs. RESULTS: Almost eighty percent reported RPQ symptoms, the most common for both genders being fatigue (51%) and poor concentration (51%). Seventy-six percent had a good recovery, 18% moderate disability, while 6% reported severe disability. The number of symptoms was significantly correlated to the level of disability. All participants with severe disability had repeated mTBI. Only twenty-one percent reported that they received some form of rehabilitation intervention after their mTBI. CONCLUSIONS: Five years after suffering mTBI, patients reported high rates of symptoms and disabilities. Our findings suggest that tailored rehabilitation interventions should be designed to identify mTBI patients in need of early rehabilitation. This would result in minimized suffering for the individual and improved cost-effectiveness for society.

Whiplash trauma did not predict jaw pain after 2 years: an explorative study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore predictive factors for the development and maintenance of jaw pain over a 2-year period. METHODS: One hundred nineteen cases (73 women) and 104 controls (59 women), mean age 34.9 years (SD 13.9), attended baseline and 2-year follow-up examinations. The whiplash cases visited the emergency department at Umeå University Hospital, Sweden, with neck pain within 72 h following a car accident, and baseline questionnaires were answered within a month after trauma. Controls were recruited via advertising. Inclusion criteria were age 18-70 years, living in Umeå municipality and Swedish speaking. The exclusion criterion was neck fracture for cases and a previous neck trauma for controls. Validated questionnaires recommended in the standardized Research Diagnostic Criteria for temporomandibular disorders were used. Jaw pain was assessed by two validated screening questions answered with "yes" or "no." A logistic regression analysis was used to predict the outcome variable jaw pain (yes/no) after 2 years. RESULTS: Whiplash trauma did not increase the odds of development of jaw pain over a 2-year period (OR 1.97, 95% CI 0.53-7.38). However, non-specific physical symptoms (OR 8.56, 95% CI 1.08-67.67) and female gender (OR 4.89, 95% CI 1.09-22.02) did increase the odds for jaw pain after 2 years. CONCLUSION: The development and maintenance of jaw pain after whiplash trauma are primarily not related to the trauma itself, but more associated with physical symptoms. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The development of jaw pain in connection with a whiplash trauma needs to be seen in a biopsychosocial perspective, and early assessment is recommended.

Investigating cognitive reserve, symptom resolution and brain connectivity in mild traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: A proportion of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) suffer long-term consequences, and the reasons behind this are still poorly understood. One factor that may affect outcomes is cognitive reserve, which is the brain's ability to maintain cognitive function despite injury. It is often assessed through educational level or premorbid IQ tests. This study aimed to explore whether there were differences in post-concussion symptoms and symptom resolution between patients with mTBI and minor orthopedic injuries one week and three months after injury. Additional aims were to explore the relationship between cognitive reserve and outcome, as well as functional connectivity according to resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). METHOD: Fifteen patients with mTBI and 15 controls with minor orthopedic injuries were recruited from the emergency department. Assessments, including Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire (RPQ), neuropsychological testing, and rs-fMRI scans, were conducted on average 7 days (SD = 2) and 122 days (SD = 51) after injury. RESULTS: At the first time point, significantly higher rates of post-concussion symptoms (U = 40.0, p = 0.003), state fatigue (U = 56.5, p = 0.014), and fatigability (U = 58.5, p = 0.025) were observed among the mTBI group than among the controls. However, after three months, only the difference in post-concussion symptoms remained significant (U = 27.0, p = 0.003). Improvement in post-concussion symptoms was found to be significantly correlated with cognitive reserve, but only in the mTBI group (Spearman's rho = -0.579, p = .038). Differences in the trajectory of recovery were also observed for fatigability between the two groups (U = 36.5, p = 0.015). Moreover, functional connectivity differences in the frontoparietal network were observed between the groups, and for mTBI patients, functional connectivity differences in an executive control network were observed over time. CONCLUSION: The findings of this pilot study suggest that mTBI, compared to minor orthopedic trauma, is associated to both functional connectivity changes in the brain and concussion-related symptoms. While there is improvement in these symptoms over time, a small subgroup with lower cognitive reserve appears to experience more persistent and possibly worsening symptoms over time. This, however, needs to be validated in larger studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05593172. Retrospectively registered.

Behavioural problems in the first year after Severe traumatic brain injury: a prospective multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence of behavioural problems in patients with severe traumatic brain injury during the first year after injury and potential associations with outcome. An additional post hoc objective was to analyse the frequency of behaviours with need for intervention from staff. DESIGN AND SETTING: In a prospective population based cohort study 114 patients with severe traumatic brain injury were assessed at three weeks, three months and one year after injury. MAIN MEASURES: Assessments included clinical examination and standardised instruments. Agitation was assessed with the Agitated Behaviour Scale, the course of recovery by the Rancho Los Amigo Scale and outcome by Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended. RESULTS: Agitation were most common at 3 weeks post injury and 28% ( n=68) of the patients showed at least one agitated behaviour requiring intervention from staff. Presence of significant agitation at 3 weeks after injury was not associated with poor outcome. At 3 months agitation was present in 11% ( n=90) and apathy in 26 out of 81 assessed patients. At 3 months agitation and apathy were associated with poor outcome at one year. CONCLUSIONS: Most agitated behaviours in the early phase are transient and are not associated with poor outcome. Agitation and apathy are uncommon at three months but when present are associated with poor outcome at one year after injury. In the early phase after a severe traumatic brain injury agitated behaviour in need of interventions from staff occur in a substantial proportion of patients.

Computed tomography and clinical outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: To study: (i) acute computed tomography (CT) characteristics and clinical outcome; (ii) clinical course and (iii) Corticosteroid Randomisation after Significant Head Injury acute calculator protocol (CRASH) model and clinical outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI). METHODS: Initial CT (CTi) and CT 24 hours post-trauma (CT24) were evaluated according to Marshall and Rotterdam classifications. Rancho Los Amigos Cognitive Scale-Revised (RLAS-R) and Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) were assessed at three months and one year post-trauma. The prognostic value of the CRASH model was evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were included. Marshall CTi and CT24 were significantly correlated with RLAS-R at three months. Rotterdam CT24 was significantly correlated with GOSE at three months. RLAS-R and the GOSE improved significantly from three months to one year. CRASH predicted unfavourable outcome at six months for 81% of patients with bad outcome and for 85% of patients with favourable outcome according to GOSE at one year. CONCLUSION: Neither CT nor CRASH yielded clinically useful predictions of outcome at one year post-injury. The study showed encouragingly many instances of significant recovery in this population of sTBI. The combination of lack of reliable prognostic indicators and favourable outcomes supports the case for intensive acute management and rehabilitation as the default protocol in the cases of sTBI.

Walking down 'Via Dolorosa' from primary health care to the specialty pain clinic - patient and professional perceptions of inequity in rehabilitation of chronic pain.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse patient and professional perceptions about (in)equity of care and rehabilitation of chronic pain patients from primary health care to assessment at a specialty rehabilitation clinic. SETTING AND METHODS: This qualitative study consists one focus group interview with eight general practitioners who refer patients to pain rehabilitation clinics, 10 individual interviews with patients who were assessed at a pain rehabilitation clinic and seven interviews with professionals participating in multimodal assessment teams at a pain rehabilitation clinic. Interview analysis was conducted by the grounded theory method. RESULTS: The core category Via Dolorosa, the way of suffering and pain, captured how gender and sociocultural context may contribute to advantages and disadvantages during patient journeys from primary health care to a pain rehabilitation clinic. Patients and professionals perceived pain as a low-ranking illness, and women and men used different gendered strategies to legitimise the pain and to be taken seriously. Being 'a proper patient ready to change' and having 'likeness' between patients and professionals were viewed as advantageous in rehabilitation of pain patients. Patients with higher educational levels were perceived as easier to interact with and had better access to health care. Professional thoughts about gender norms influenced the rehabilitation options. The rehabilitation programme was seen by several professionals to be better suited for women than men, which could lead to unequal care. CONCLUSION: From an equity and gender perspective, our study highlights the complexity in rehabilitation of chronic pain patients - both from patient and professional perspectives. Awareness of gendered and the biased preconceptions and norms is crucial when professionals struggle to offer equitable health care and rehabilitation.

Weak outcome predictors of multimodal rehabilitation at one-year follow-up in patients with chronic pain-a practice based evidence study from two SQRP centres.

BACKGROUND: For patients with chronic pain, the heterogeneity of clinical presentations makes it difficult to identify patients who would benefit from multimodal rehabilitation programs (MMRP). Yet, there is limited knowledge regarding the predictors of MMRP's outcomes. This study identifies predictors of outcome of MMRPs at a 12-month follow-up (FU-12) based on data from the Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation (SQRP). METHODS: Patients with chronic pain from two clinical departments in Sweden completed the SQRP questionnaires-background, pain characteristics, psychological symptoms, function, activity/participation, health and quality of life-on three occasions: 1) during their first visit; 2) immediately after the completion of their MMRP; and 3) 12 months after completing the MMRP (n = 227). During the FU-12, the patients also retrospectively reported their global impressions of any changes in their perception of pain and their ability to handle their life situation in general. RESULTS: Significant improvements were found for pain, psychological symptoms, activity/participation, health, and quality of life aspects with low/medium strong effects. A general pattern was observed from the analyses of the changes from baseline to FU-12; the largest improvements in outcomes were significantly associated with poor situations according to their respective baseline scores. Although significant regressors of the investigated outcomes were found, the significant predictors were weak and explained a minor part of the variation in outcomes (15-25%). At the FU-12, 53.6% of the patients reported that their pain had decreased and 80.1% reported that their life situation in general had improved. These improvements were associated with high education, low pain intensity, high health level, and work importance (only pain perception). The explained variations were low (9-11%). CONCLUSIONS: Representing patients in real-world clinical settings, this study confirmed systematic reviews that outcomes of MMRP are associated with broad positive effects. A mix of background and baseline variables influenced the outcomes investigated, but the explained variations in outcomes were low. There is still a need to develop standardized and relatively simple outcomes that can be used to evaluate MMRP in trials, in clinical evaluations at group level, and for individual patients.

Associations between care pathways and outcome 1 year after severe traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: To assess associations between real-world care pathways for working-age patients in the first year after severe traumatic brain injury and outcomes at 1 year. SETTING AND DESIGN: Prospective, observational study with recruitment from 6 neurosurgical centers in Sweden and Iceland. Follow-up to 1 year, independently of care pathways, by rehabilitation physicians and paramedical professionals. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with severe traumatic brain injury, lowest (nonsedated) Glasgow Coma Scale score 3 to 8 during the first 24 hours and requiring neurosurgical intensive care, age 18 to 65 years, and alive 3 weeks after injury. MAIN MEASURES: Length of stay in intensive care, time between intensive care discharge and rehabilitation admission, outcome at 1 year (Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended score), acute markers of injury severity, preexisting medical conditions, and post-acute complications. Logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: A multivariate model found variables significantly associated with outcome (odds ratio for good outcome [confidence interval], P value) to be as follows: length of stay in intensive care (0.92 [0.87-0.98], 0.014), time between intensive care discharge and admission to inpatient rehabilitation (0.97 [0.94-0.99], 0.017), and post-acute complications (0.058 [0.006-0.60], 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Delays in rehabilitation admission were negatively associated with outcome. Measures to ensure timely rehabilitation admission may improve outcome. Further research is needed to evaluate possible causation.

Systematic review of the clinical course, natural history, and prognosis for pediatric mild traumatic brain injury: results of the International Collaboration on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the best available evidence on prognosis after pediatric mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus (2001-2012), as well as reference lists of eligible articles, and relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses. STUDY SELECTION: Controlled trials and cohort and case-control studies were selected according to predefined criteria. Studies had to have a minimum of 30 MTBI pediatric cases. After 77,914 records were screened for the entire review, 299 studies were eligible and assessed for scientific rigor. DATA EXTRACTION: Eligible studies were critically appraised using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) criteria. Two reviewers independently reviewed each study and extracted data from accepted articles into evidence tables. DATA SYNTHESIS: Evidence from 25 accepted articles was synthesized qualitatively according to SIGN criteria, and prognostic information was prioritized according to design as exploratory or confirmatory. Most studies show that postconcussion symptoms and cognitive deficits resolve over time. Limited evidence suggests that postconcussion symptoms may persist in those with lower cognitive ability and intracranial pathology on neuroimaging. Preliminary evidence suggests that the risk of epilepsy is increased for up to 10 years after MTBI; however, there is insufficient high-quality evidence at this time to support this link. CONCLUSIONS: Common post-MTBI symptoms and deficits in children are not specific to MTBI and appear to resolve with time; however, limited evidence suggests that children with intracranial pathology on imaging may experience persisting symptoms or deficits. Well-designed, long-term studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Nonsurgical interventions after mild traumatic brain injury: a systematic review. Results of the International Collaboration on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the best available evidence regarding the impact of nonsurgical interventions on persistent symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE and other databases were searched (2001-2012) with terms including "rehabilitation." Inclusion criteria were original, peer-reviewed research published in English and other languages. References were also identified from the bibliographies of eligible articles. STUDY SELECTION: Controlled trials and cohort and case-control studies were selected according to predefined criteria. Studies had to have a minimum of 30 MTBI cases and assess nonsurgical interventions using clinically relevant outcomes such as self-rated recovery. DATA EXTRACTION: Eligible studies were critically appraised using a modification of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) criteria. Two reviewers independently reviewed each study and extracted data from the admissible studies into evidence tables. DATA SYNTHESIS: The evidence was synthesized qualitatively according to the modified SIGN criteria. Recommendations were linked to the evidence tables using a best-evidence synthesis. After 77,914 records were screened, only 2 of 7 studies related to nonsurgical interventions were found to have a low risk of bias. One studied the effect of a scheduled telephone intervention offering counseling and education on outcome and found a significantly better outcome for symptoms (6.6 difference in adjusted mean symptom score; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-12.0), but no difference in general health outcome at 6 months after MTBI. The other was a randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of 6 days of bed rest on posttraumatic complaints 6 months postinjury, compared with no bed rest, and found no effect. CONCLUSIONS: Some evidence suggests that early, reassuring educational information is beneficial after MTBI. Well-designed intervention studies are required to develop effective treatments and improve outcomes for adults and children at risk for persistent symptoms after MTBI.

Systematic review of return to work after mild traumatic brain injury: results of the International Collaboration on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the best available evidence on return to work (RTW) after mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE and other databases were searched (2001-2012) with terms including "craniocerebral trauma" and "employment." Reference lists of eligible articles were also searched. STUDY SELECTION: Controlled trials and cohort and case-control studies were selected according to predefined criteria. Studies had to assess RTW or employment outcomes in at least 30 MTBI cases. DATA EXTRACTION: Eligible studies were critically appraised using a modification of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria. Two reviewers independently reviewed and extracted data from accepted studies into evidence tables. DATA SYNTHESIS: Evidence was synthesized qualitatively according to modified Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria and prioritized according to design as exploratory or confirmatory. After 77,914 records were screened, 299 articles were found eligible and reviewed; 101 (34%) of these with a low risk of bias were accepted as scientifically admissible, and 4 of these had RTW or employment outcomes. This evidence is preliminary and suggests that most workers RTW within 3 to 6 months after MTBI; MTBI is not a significant risk factor for long-term work disability; and predictors of delayed RTW include a lower level of education (<11y of formal education), nausea or vomiting on hospital admission, extracranial injuries, severe head/bodily pain early after injury, and limited job independence and decision-making latitude. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are based on preliminary evidence with varied patient characteristics and MTBI definitions, thus limiting firm conclusions. More well-designed studies are required to understand RTW and sustained employment after MTBI in the longer term (≥2y post-MTBI).

Systematic review of prognosis and return to play after sport concussion: results of the International Collaboration on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the best available evidence on prognosis after sport concussion. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE and other databases were searched (2001-2012) with terms including "craniocerebral trauma" and "sports." Reference lists of eligible articles were also searched. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials and cohort and case-control studies were selected according to predefined criteria. Studies had to have a minimum of 30 concussion cases. DATA EXTRACTION: Eligible studies were critically appraised using a modification of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) criteria. Two reviewers independently reviewed and extracted data from accepted studies into evidence tables. DATA SYNTHESIS: Evidence was synthesized qualitatively according to modified SIGN criteria, and studies were categorized as exploratory or confirmatory based on the strength of their design and evidence. After 77,914 records were screened, 52 articles were eligible for this review, and 24 articles (representing 19 studies) with a low risk of bias were accepted. Our findings are based on exploratory studies of predominantly male football players at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Most athletes recover within days to a few weeks, and American and Australian professional football players return to play quickly after mild traumatic brain injury. Delayed recovery appears more likely in high school athletes, in those with a history of previous concussion, and in those with a higher number and duration of postconcussion symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence concerning sports concussion course and prognosis is very preliminary, and there is no evidence on the effect of return-to-play guidelines on prognosis. Our findings have implications for further research. Well-designed, confirmatory studies are urgently needed to understand the consequences of sport concussion, including recurrent concussion, across different athletic populations and sports.

Fatigue and cognitive fatigability in patients with chronic pain.

OBJECTIVES: Fatigue is common in patients with chronic pain. Still, there is a lack of studies examining objectively measurable cognitive aspects of fatigue: cognitive fatigability (CF). We aimed to investigate the presence of CF in patients with chronic pain and its relation to self-rated fatigue, attention, pain characteristics, sleep disturbance, depression, and anxiety. METHODS: Two hundred patients with chronic pain and a reference group of 36 healthy subjects underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery, including measurement of CF with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III Coding subtest, and self-assessment of trait and state fatigue. RESULTS: The patients with chronic pain did not show more CF as compared to the reference group. There was an association between CF and processing speed on a test of sustained and selective attention in the chronic pain group, while self-rated fatigue measures and pain characteristics were not associated with CF. Self-rated fatigue measures were highly correlated with self-rated pain intensity, spreading of pain, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the distinction between objective and subjective aspects of fatigue in chronic pain, and that the underlying causes of these different aspects of fatigue need to be studied further.

Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation for immigrants with chronic pain who need language interpretation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate outcomes in patients with chronic pain after participation in an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programme with language interpreters, and to investigate the outcomes in women and men separately. DESIGN: Prospective multi-centre cohort study. PATIENTS: Ninety-five patients in Sweden with chronic pain who have insufficient knowledge of the Swedish language. METHODS: Duration and intensity of pain, anxiety and depression, health-related quality of life and fear of movement were evaluated before and after the programme. Patients were compared with a reference group comprising Swedish-speaking patients participating in an ordinary interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programme. RESULTS: Before the interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programme with language interpreters, all variables except pain duration differed significantly to the detriment of the studied group. The studied group showed significant improvements after the interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programme with language interpreters, with regards to pain intensity, depression and fear of movement. The reference group improved significantly for all variables. The women in the studied group showed significant improvements for the same variables as the whole group, while the men in the studied group did not improve in any of the variables. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that patients with chronic pain, and especially women, who have insufficient knowledge of Swedish seem to benefit from participating in an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programme with language interpreters. The result may be of value for the further development of rehabilitation programmes with language interpreters.

Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation for patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic pain is a common manifestation of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders; thus it is often suggested that patients undergo generic interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation, despite there being little evidence to support this decision. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of standard rehabilitation programmes for chronic pain on patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders, compared with patients with other chronic pain disorders. SUBJECTS: Data, collected between 2008 and 2016, were extracted from a Swedish national registry. The patient data comprised of 406 cases with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or hypermobility spectrum disorders, 784 cases with a whiplash-related diagnosis, 3713 cases with diagnoses relating to spinal pain, and 2880 cases of fibromyalgia. METHODS: The differences between groups on key outcome measures from pre- to 1-year follow-up after interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation were analysed using linear mixed effects models. Sensitivity analysis in the form of pattern-mixture modelling was conducted to discern the impact of missing data. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in improvements from pre- to 1-year follow-up for patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or hypermobility spectrum disorder compared with other diagnostic groups regarding measures of health-related quality of life, mental health, or fatigue. At follow-up, differences in pain interference (d = -0.34 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] -0.5 to -0.18)), average pain (d = 0.22 (95% CI 0.11-0.62)) and physical functioning (d = 2.19 (95% CI 1.61-2.77)) were detected for the group with spinal-related diagnoses in relation to those with EDS/HSD, largely due to pre-treatment group differences. Sensitivity analysis found little evidence for missing data influencing the results. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome/hypermobility spectrum disorders may benefit from inclusion in an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programme.

Early intervention for patients at risk for persisting disability after mild traumatic brain injury: a randomized, controlled study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of an early intervention visit in addition to written information and treatment as usual for patients with an estimated high risk for persisting disability after a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). RESEARCH DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-three patients, aged 15-70 years with a Glasgow coma scale of 14-15 were included. All received written information about MTBI. Ninety-seven patients who reported three or more symptoms according to the rivermead post-concussion symptoms questionnaire (RPQ) at 10 days after the injury were considered as high-risk patients and were randomized to either early visit to a doctor or to treatment as usual (TAU); all patients including the 76 low-risk patients were followed-up at 3 months. Completion rate was 83%. Outcome measures included RPQ and the hospital anxiety and depression scale. RESULTS: RPQ symptoms decreased significantly in both randomized groups, but were not significantly different in the groups at 3 months. At 3 months, anxiety and depression scores did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: An early intervention, offered to patients with an estimated high risk for persisting disability, had no additional effect on symptom level at 3 months after MTBI as compared to TAU.

Healthcare professionals' experiences and perspectives of team-based interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation with immigrants requiring an interpreter. A qualitative study.

PURPOSE: There is a lack of knowledge about interprofessional rehabilitation for culturally diverse patients with chronic pain. This study explores experiences of healthcare professionals developing and working with rehabilitation with patients in need of an interpreter and their experience of working with interpreters. METHODS: Twelve healthcare professionals at two Swedish specialist rehabilitation centres were interviewed. Grounded theory principles were used for the data collection and analysis. RESULTS: The main category "Demanding and Meaningful Work" represents three concurrently interacting categories: "Frustration" includes the informants' doubts regarding the benefits of the rehabilitation, lack of care for patients and cultural dissonance between professionals and patients. "Challenges" describes problems in the rehabilitation work due to the need for interpreted mediated communication, the complexity in health status and social aspects among the patients. "Solutions" represents practical working methods and personal approaches developed by the informants for managing frustrations and challenges. CONCLUSIONS: The informants' frustration and challenges when working with a new group of patients, vulnerable and different in their preconceptions, led to new solutions in working methods and approaches. When starting a pain rehabilitation programme for culturally diverse patients, it is important to consider the rehabilitation team's need for additional time and support.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONHealthcare professionals who encounter immigrants with chronic pain need resources to develop their own skills in order to handle complex ethical questions as the patients represent a vulnerable patient group with many low status identitiesIn order to adapt rehabilitation programmes to patient groups with different languages and pre-understandings of chronic pain, there is a need for a team with specific qualities, i.e., close cooperation, an innovative atmosphere, time and also support from expertsFor appropriate language interpretation it is important to have a professional interpreter and a healthcare professional who are aware of and adopt the rules, possibilities and restrictions of interpretationThe rehabilitation of patients in need of language interpretation needs more time and organisation compared to the rehabilitation of patients who speak the national language.

Gender and Age Differences in Outcomes after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Many people who suffer traumatic brain injury (TBI) have long-term residual symptoms. This study evaluates post-TBI symptoms and disabilities seven to eight years after mild TBI (mTBI), with specific aims to evaluate gender and age differences, and whether repeated TBI leads to the deterioration of symptoms and function. Telephone interviews with 595 patients were conducted using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) to assess post-TBI symptoms, and the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) was used to assess disability. Thirty-four percent reported post-concussion symptoms (40% of females and 29% of males). The symptom burden was higher in women than in men, and higher in patients with repeated TBI. The distribution of symptoms was similar for women and men. Women reported a significantly higher level of disability on GOSE; 31% had not returned fully to daily life, compared with 17% of men (p < 0.001), the biggest difference being in the age group of 25-49 years. Patients with repeated mTBI reported significantly lower scores on GOSE; 31% had not returned fully to daily life, compared with 21% of the single-TBI patients (p < 0.05). After mild TBI, one of three patients reported at least one post-TBI symptom. Women and individuals with repeated TBI presented a worse GOSE outcome. These findings have implications for clinical practice and research and should be taken into consideration when planning the rehabilitation and follow-up of mTBI patients. This also emphasises the importance of informing patients about post-concussion symptoms and when to seek healthcare.

INTRODUCTION OF A MULTIMODAL PAIN REHABILITATION INTERVENTION IN PRIMARY CARE: A PILOT STUDY.

Objective: To evaluate patient-reported outcome measures in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain 1 year after participation in a case manager-led multimodal rehabilitation intervention in a Finnish primary care centre. Changes in healthcare utilization (HCU) were also explored. Methods: A prospective pilot study with 36 participants. The intervention consisted of screening, multidisciplinary team assessment, a rehabilitation plan and case manager follow-up. Data were collected through questionnaires filled in after the team assessment and 1 year later. HCU data 1 year before and 1 year after team assessment were compared. Results: At follow-up, satisfaction with vocational situation, self-reported work ability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) had improved and pain intensity had diminished significantly for all participants. The participants who reduced their HCU improved their activity level and HRQoL. Early intervention by a psychologist and mental health nurse was distinctive for the participants who reduced HCU at follow-up. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate the importance of early biopsychosocial management of patients with chronic pain in primary care. Identification of psychological risk factors at an early stage may lead to better psychosocial wellbeing, improve coping strategy and reduce HCU. A case manager may free up other resources and thereby contribute to cost savings.

Effect on orofacial pain in patients with chronic pain participating in a multimodal rehabilitation programme - a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Orofacial pain in patients taking part in a multimodal rehabilitation programme (MMRP) due to chronic bodily pain is common but it is not known whether such a rehabilitation programme can also have an effect on the presence of orofacial pain. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an MMRP on orofacial pain frequency. The second aim was to evaluate differences in the effect on quality of life and on psychosocial factors related to chronic pain. METHODS: MMRP was evaluated through validated questionnaires from the Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation (SQRP). Fifty-nine patients participating in MMRP filled out the two screening questions for orofacial pain in addition to the SQRP questionnaires before and after participation in MMRP during the period August 2016 to March 2018. RESULTS: Pain intensity decreased significantly after the MMRP (p=0.005). Fifty patients (69.4 %) reported orofacial pain before MMRP and no significant decrease after the programme (p=0.228). Among individuals with orofacial pain, the self-reported level of depression decreased after participation in the programme (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Even though orofacial pain is common among patients with chronic bodily pain, participation in a multimodal pain programme was not enough to reduce frequent orofacial pain. This finding implies that specific orofacial pain management including information about jaw physiology could be a justified component of patient assessment prior to a multimodal rehabilitation programme for chronic bodily pain.