Psychological and biological correlates of fatigue after mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury.
Relationships between chronic perceived stress, cortisol response (area under the curve) and posttraumatic brain injury fatigue were examined with persons from outpatient settings. Seventy-five injured persons with traumatic brain injury and their relatives/significant others participated in this cross-sectional study. Using interviews and self-reported data from the Neurofunctional Behavioral Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Profile of Mood States-Fatigue subscale, the McGill Pain Scale, as well as self-collection of salivary cortisol over a 12-hour period (N = 50), we found that perceived chronic stress explained 40% of the variance in fatigue until depressive symptoms and pain were in the model. Hypocortisolemia was evident. Somatic symptom frequency and perceived chronic stress represented 50% of the variability in post-TBI fatigue. Fatigue and stress management interventions, as suggested in the Centers for Disease Control Acute Concussion guidelines, may be beneficial in reducing this common symptom.
Bay
Esther
E
Michigan State University, USA. baye@msu.edu
Xie
Yan
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult