Personal technology for self-management after mild traumatic brain injury: a scoping review

Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) account for 70-90% of TBIs worldwide. Persistent symptoms (fatigue, depression, cognitive problems) impact daily activities and participation. Self-management interventions have shown effectiveness in reducing symptoms. Personal digital technology (e.g. mobile phones) might offer effective and efficient options for supporting self-management following mTBI, but it remains unclear if/how personal digital technology is used to deliver self-management interventions following mTBI. This scoping review aimed to map evidence for digital self-management delivery for adults with mTBI and identify knowledge gaps to inform future research.

Electronic databases (Embase, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL) were searched for articles on digital self-management delivery following mTBI/concussion/post-concussion syndrome. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts. The same reviewers extracted data for included studies. Disagreements were resolved through discussion with an additional reviewer. Data extraction was informed by the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist, PRISMS taxonomy of self-management support and Cochrane PROGRESS-Plus framework.

The search yielded 1639 studies (1399 after duplicate removal). Seven studies, heterogeneous in their target mTBI population, samples and study designs, were included in the review. Wide-ranging personal technology was used to deliver self-management interventions. Studies reported digital self-management intervention acceptability, efficacy signals and/or effectiveness.

While digitally-delivered self-management interventions appear acceptable and align with UK Government priorities, research is needed to confirm benefits for mTBI. Barriers to clinical implementation, including mTBI symptom impact on digital exclusion warrant further exploration.