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App Effectively Reduces Concussion Symptoms Among Veterans
Concussion Coach, an interactive smartphone app, was found to effectively reduce postconcussion symptom (PCS) severity and psychological distress among veteran patients. Another key found for successful treatment was perception of self-management of symptoms.1
“In the active duty setting, the primary aim is treating service members in order to facilitate a return to duty, whereas in veteran settings aims can be multifaceted and include treatment of persistent symptoms and effective community reintegration, as well as assessment of disability,” researchers explained in a recent study.2
To better understand the benefits of Concussion Coach, a team of researchers identified veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) history. They were randomly selected to participate in 3-month treatment trial via Concussion Coach (n = 238) or traditional treatment (n=241), referred to as Treatment-as-Usual (TAU).
PCS severity, as defined by the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI), and psychological distress, as defined by the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), were the primary outcomes measured.
“Measures of self-efficacy, social support, and comfort with technology were administered as potential moderators and mediators,” the study authors explained. “An intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was performed (n= 461: Concussion Coach = 231 and TAU = 230) using Bayesian Network (BN)modeling.”
Results showed that those who were assigned to Concussion Coach were less likely to experience severe PCS (0.35 [0.32,0.37]), and were more likely to have an increased sense of self-efficacy (0.36 [0.32, 0.39]). Self-efficacy in both cohorts—Concussion Coach and TAU—was correlated with less severe PCS (0.51 [0.47, 0.54] vs 0.27 [0.24, 0.30], OR = 2.71) and less psychological distress (0.53 [0.49, 0.56] vs 0.32 [0.29, 0.35], OR = 2.35).
“Concussion Coach is effective at reducing PCS severity and psychological distress,” researchers concluded. “Increased self-efficacy/perception of self-management of symptoms may be key to successful treatment of residual symptoms in those with history of concussion.”
References:
- Belanger HG, Toyinbo P, Barrett B, King E, Sayer NA. Concussion coach for postconcussive symptoms: a randomized, controlled trial of a smartphone application with Afghanistan and Iraq war Veterans. Clin Neuropsychol. 2021;1-27. doi:10.1080/13854046.2021.1936188
- Shura RD, Epstein EL, Armistead-Jehle P, Cooper DB, Eapen BC. Assessment and treatment of concussion in service members and veterans. Concussion. 2020:149-159. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-65384-8.00013-4
