Author(s)

Deborah L. Snell^1,2*, A. D. Sandy Macleod², Tim Anderson^3,4

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
²Concussion Clinic, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service, Burwood Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
³New Zealand Brain Research Institute, Christchurch, New Zealand.
⁴Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.

In this clinical practice review, the controversies and difficulties managing post concussion symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury are discussed. Based on considerable clinical experience in a designated Concussion Clinic, the authors (a neuropsychologist, a psychiatrist, and a neurologist) review relevant literature and issues for clinical practice, particularly with respect to understanding risk factors for and vulnerability to, development of chronic post-concussion symptoms. We contend it is not just the kind of head that matters but also the kind of complications, the kind of outcomes and the kind of management that can influence injury recovery. Given these complexities, a bio-psychosocial conceptualization of chronic post-concussion syndrome is appropriate. Though understanding is still elusive, management should not be biased by physiogenic or psychogenic aetiological theories for management needs to address patient reported outcomes regardless of underpinning aetiology.

Post-Concussion Syndrome, Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, MTBI, Chronic Injury Symptoms

Snell, D. , Macleod, A. and Anderson, T. (2016) Post-Concussion Syndrome after a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Minefield for Clinical Practice. Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science, 6, 227-232. doi: 10.4236/jbbs.2016.66023.