title: Adjusting to persistent post-concussive symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury and subsequent psycho-educational intervention: a qualitative analysis in military personnel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Best practice guidelines outline ways in which mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) should be managed. In line with the existing evidence base, DMRC Headley Court established a treatment programme for UK servicemen and women with mTBI. This study explored the experiences of a sample of UK military personnel living with PPCS, who also received psycho-educational intervention (Phase 2) at this unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  DMRC Headley Court, Southeast England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen service personnel who had completed the intervention within 24 months prior to interview.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured qualitative interview study, with purposive sampling and thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants described their mTBI in terms of: (1) onset; (2) subsequent symptom experience; (3) recovery; and (4) acceptance. All participants reported a significant degree of confusion and chaos in the aftermath of their traumatic event. These themes highlighted how, following enrolment onto the Phase 2 intervention at DMRC Headley Court, participants reported being (largely) able to manage PPCS. Further, many reported acceptance of their condition and described how they had managed to re-establish a sense of order.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Following a flexible and tailored intervention for PPCS, patients report feeling empowered and describe having a renewed sense of stability.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Surrey , Guildford , UK and.
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Brunger
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Ogden
authors: Kit
authors: K
authors: Malia
authors: Clare
authors: C
authors: Eldred
authors: Ronel
authors: R
authors: Terblanche
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Mistlin
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D038223:Post-Concussion Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011209:Power, Psychological; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom