You will be surprised at the best evidence for Non-Surgical Treatment for MTBI (minimal Traumatic Brain Injury)

You will be surprised at the best evidence for Non-Surgical Treatment for MTBI (minimal Traumatic Brain Injury) or concussion?

• No Bed Rest
• Supportive Phone Call

That is all...

JR

Nonsurgical Interventions After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review. Results of the International Collaboration on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Prognosis

Catharina Nygren-de Boussard, MD, PhD

, 

Lena W. Holm, DrMedSc

, 

Carol Cancelliere, DC, MPH

, 

Alison K. Godbolt, MBChB, MD

, 

Eleanor Boyle, PhD

, 

Britt-Marie Stålnacke, MD, PhD

, 

Cesar A. Hincapié, DC, MHSc

, 

J. David Cassidy, PhD, DrMedSc

, 

Jörgen Borg, MD, PhD

Published Online: March 03, 2014

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2013.10.009

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Abstract

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.