Citation

Wood RL, O'Hagan G, Williams C, McCabe M, Chadwick N. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 2014; 29(1): E9-E17.

Affiliation

Brain Injury Research Group, College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University (Drs Wood and Williams and Mss O'Hagan and Chadwick); and Accident & Emergency Department, Morriston Hospital (Dr Wood and Mr McCabe), Swansea, Wales.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/HTR.0b013e31827eabba

PMID

23381020

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To examine the influence of anxiety sensitivity (AS) and alexithymia as potential mediators for the development of psychological distress and postconcussion syndrome after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). PARTICIPANTS:: Sixty-one patients with mTBI assessed at a mean of 2.38 weeks after injury and demographically matched healthy controls (n = 61). MEASURES:: Twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Anxiety Sensitivity Index, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Rivermead Post Concussion Questionnaire. RESULTS:: The mTBI group reported significantly higher levels of AS, alexithymia, psychological distress, and postconcussion (PC) symptom scores than controls. High AS and alexithymia in the mTBI group were associated with a greater number of PC symptoms and higher levels of psychological distress than patients scoring low on these measures and controls. In the mTBI group, a combination of AS and low mood explained 52.6% of the variance in PC symptom reporting. A combination of trait-anxiety, alexithymia, and PC symptoms explained 77.2% of the variance in levels of mood. CONCLUSION:: A combination of low mood and high AS may act as a psychological diathesis for the development of persisting PC symptoms. Early identification could provide a focus for early intervention to prevent the development of postconcussion syndrome after mTBI.

Language: en