title: Perceptions of mild traumatic brain injury in adults: a scoping review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this article is to synthesise the scholarly literature related to perceptions of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and health outcomes in an adult population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A scoping review was undertaken. An electronic search of seven databases was conducted. Studies were included if (1) they related to perceptions of mild traumatic brain injury, (2) the population was adults with mild traumatic brain injury, and (3) health outcomes were reported. Studies were also identified through a hand search of reference lists of articles meeting study criteria. Numerical analysis and qualitative content analysis were employed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one studies published between 1992 and 2015 were included. Key findings regarding how perceptions of mTBI have been conceptualised, assessed, manipulated, and associated with health outcomes across the literature are reported. Clinical implications of studies are presented and clinical examples provided. Findings are discussed in the context of the broader literature and rehabilitation practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perceptions of mild traumatic brain injury, or how persons think about and understand mTBI and recovery, have important implications for rehabilitation intervention. Intervention research integrating perceptions of mild traumatic brain injury, while emerging, is needed. Engagement with the health psychology literature is recommended. Implications for rehabilitation Perceptions of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and recovery have been associated with health outcomes and are worth considering in clinical rehabilitation practice. Studies reviewed demonstrate associations between negative perceptions of mTBI and increased symptom report, poor cognitive test performance, and impaired function. Potential implications for the rehabilitation process are discussed, including how to assess perceptions of mTBI in clinical interaction, and how to communicate information regarding symptoms, effects on daily life, and expectations for recovery following injury.
authors.affiliation: a Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital , Toronto , Canada.|b Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mah
authors.affiliation: a Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital , Toronto , Canada.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hickling
authors.affiliation: a Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital , Toronto , Canada.|b Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada.|c Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Reed
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012803:Sick Role
keywords: Mild traumatic brain injury; brain concussion; diagnosis threat; expectation as etiology; good old days bias; health psychology; illness perception; symptom attribution