Can Exposure Therapy Be Effective for Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms? A Nonconcurrent Multiple Baseline Design...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Persistent post-concussion symptoms significantly impair daily functioning.
• The fear avoidance model (FAM) offers a biopsychosocial explanation for these persistent symptoms.
• Effective interventions are needed for individuals experiencing long-term post-concussion issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effectiveness of a 14-week individual exposure therapy for persistent post-concussion symptoms.
• To assess the feasibility of this exposure therapy in a clinical setting.
• To evaluate the impact of exposure therapy on daily functioning, avoidance behavior, and symptom severity.

Main Methods:

• A single-case experimental design (SCED) with nonconcurrent multiple baselines was employed.
• Four participants (aged 51–68) with persistent post-concussion symptoms (average 10 months post-injury) were recruited.
• Intervention involved 14 weekly sessions of exposure therapy, with data collected during baseline, intervention, and 12-week follow-up phases.

Main Results:

• Exposure therapy significantly improved daily life satisfaction and reduced avoidance behavior and symptom severity in 3 out of 4 participants (p < .05).
• Visual analogue scale data indicated positive changes in functioning, avoidance, and experienced symptoms.
• Participants and therapists reported high satisfaction with the intervention protocol (average 8.8/10).

Conclusions:

• Individual 14-week exposure therapy demonstrates effectiveness and feasibility for treating persistent post-concussion symptoms in a clinical setting.
• Findings support the use of exposure therapy for individuals struggling with long-term concussion-related issues.
• Further research with larger randomized controlled trials or replication SCED studies is recommended to solidify evidence.