title: Neuropsychological support to relatives of patients with severe traumatic brain injury in the sub-acute phase.
abstract: Many studies have reported emotional distress in relatives of patients with brain injury, but few studies have investigated neuropsychological interventions for relatives. The present study assessed the amount of neuropsychological support as well as the actual number of sessions with a neuropsychologist during rehabilitation in a sub-acute unit. The study also examined whether the amount of support was related to the condition of the patient or the relative at admission. The sample consisted of 26 patients and their closest relative, and measures included demographic variables as well as characteristics related to the patient: Glasgow Coma Scale, Injury Severity Score, Early Functional Abilities, Functional Independence Measure, Rancho Los Amigos; and to the relative: symptoms of anxiety and depression (SCL-90-R), quality of life (SF-36) and amount and number of sessions of neuropsychological support. On average, the relatives received about 18 units of 15 minutes and had six sessions with a neuropsychologist during hospitalisation. A total of 38% participated in group sessions. Relatives' symptoms of anxiety at admission were associated with the number of sessions as well as the amount of support, indicating that relatives with more symptoms of anxiety received more support during the hospitalisation.
authors: Department of Neurorehabilitation, Traumatic Brain Injury Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark. anne.norup@hvh.regionh.dk
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Norup
authors: Karin Spangsberg
authors: KS
authors: Kristensen
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Siert
authors: Ingrid
authors: I
authors: Poulsen
authors: Erik Lykke
authors: EL
authors: Mortensen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology