Development and description of SAAM intervention: A brief, multidimensional and psycho-educational intervention for...

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is associated with persistent post-concussive symptoms (PCSs) in approximately 15% of cases. These symptoms can be somatic (e.g., headache), cognitive (e.g., forgetfulness, poor attention and concentration capacities), emotional (e.g., anxiety, depression, irritability) and/or sleep-arousal complaints (e.g., fatigue, sleep problems). Although practice guidelines recommend early intervention to prevent and treat PCS, we still lack an effective, standardized, integrative, post-acute intervention based on a sound and validated theoretical model.

The purpose of this article is to present the development and theoretical background underpinning a novel intervention for patients with PCSs in the post-acute phase after mTBI (1-3 months post-injury).

With a biopsychosocial approach (Hou et al., 2012) and best practice recommendations, we developed a novel multidimensional intervention targeting factors that perpetuate PCSs and that can be changed with the intervention. This individual-session intervention provides practical tools for managing PCSs and is designed to provide psycho-education and reassurance, reinforce individual objectives and promote a return to activities. Each session targets one category of PCSs: Sleep/fatigue, Attention, Anxiety/depressed mood, Memory/Organization (SAAM intervention). The rationale underlying the choices of format and content for the intervention is discussed, as are the associated strengths, limitations, opportunities and challenges.

This article could support researchers and clinicians to develop, replicate and/or implement interventions addressing current best practices in mTBI management.