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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 21, 2026

A Mouse Model of Single and Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

A Mouse Model of Single and Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: June 20, 2017

Does the fear avoidance model explain persistent symptoms after traumatic brain injury?

Melloney L M Wijenberg^1,2, Sven Z Stapert^1,3, Jeanine A Verbunt⁴

¹a Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience , Maastricht University , Maastricht , the Netherlands.

|October 6, 2017

Summary

The fear avoidance model may explain persistent post-concussion syndrome after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Catastrophizing and fear avoidance behaviors correlate with lingering symptoms, suggesting a biopsychosocial link.

Keywords:

Catastrophizing Traumatic brain injury chronic phase fear avoidance behaviour persistent symptoms post concussional syndrome

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Last Updated: Feb 21, 2026

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Investigating Pain-Related Avoidance Behavior using a Robotic Arm-Reaching Paradigm

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Inducing Post-Traumatic Epilepsy in a Mouse Model of Repetitive Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury

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Published on: February 10, 2020

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychology
Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

A minority of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) develop persistent post-concussion syndrome.
Explanations for this prolonged symptom complex remain elusive.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the fear avoidance model as a potential biopsychosocial explanation for persistent symptoms and delayed recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Focus on mild TBI (mTBI) and its associated lingering symptoms.

Main Methods:

Cross-sectional study design.
Involved 48 patients with TBI (31 with mTBI) experiencing persistent symptoms.
Assessed catastrophizing, fear avoidance behavior, depression, and post-concussion symptoms.

Main Results:

High levels of catastrophizing (10%) and fear avoidance behavior (35%) were observed.
Significant correlations were found between catastrophizing, fear avoidance behavior, depressive symptoms, and post-concussion symptoms (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

The fear avoidance model offers a plausible explanation for persistent post-concussion symptoms.
Further research, including validation of measures and longitudinal studies, is needed to establish causality.