Changes over time in family members of adults with mild traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Objective:The impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) extends beyond the person who was injured. Family caregivers of adults with moderate to severe TBI frequently report increased burden, stress and depression. Few studies have examined the well-being of family members in the mild TBI population despite the latter representing up to 95% of all TBIs.Methods:Five areas of well-being were examined in 99 family members (including parents, partners, siblings, other relatives, adult children, friends or neighbours) of adults (aged ≥16 years) with mild TBI. At 6- and 12-month post-injury, family members completed the Bakas Caregiver Outcomes Scale, Short Form-36 Health Survey, EQ-5D-3L, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Outcomes and change over time and associated factors were examined.Results:At 6 months, group mean scores for health-related quality of life for mental and physical components and overall health status were similar to the New Zealand (NZ) population. Mean scores for sleep, anxiety and depression were below clinically significant thresholds. From 6 to 12 months, there were significant improvements in Bakas Caregiver Outcomes Scale scores by 2.61 (95% confidence interval: 0.72–4.49), health-related quality of life (mental component) and EQ-5D-3L overall health (P = 0.01). Minimally clinically important differences were observed in overall health, anxiety, health-related quality of life and depression at 12 months. Female family members reported significant improvements in physical health over time, and more positive life changes were reported by those caring for males with TBI.Conclusions:The findings suggest diminished burden over time for family members of adults with mild TBI.

Mental Health and Family Functioning in Patients and Their Family Members after Traumatic Brain Injury: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…It is possible that the family members’ mental health may have been less affected because they did not have the same caregiver responsibilities or role changes as those of patients with more severe injuries as reported in the PariS-TBI study (47.7 points vs. 36.7 points) [ 50 ]. A study on caregivers of persons with mild TBI demonstrated that, at 6 months after the injury, the HRQL reached levels similar to the general population, suggesting that mild TBI has less impact on the family members’ mental health compared with more severe injuries [ 51 ]. We included family members 6–18 months post-injury supporting this finding on overall mental health; however, this impression was not clear-cut.…”

The Secondary Impact of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Family Members

“…Surveys of those with mTBI have found that social support predicts lower symptom reporting (Quan Zeng et al, 2016; Temple et al, 2016) and increased satisfaction with life (Seidl et al, 2015). However, mTBI can negatively impact family functioning, causing disruption to relationships with the person with mTBI (Jones et al, 2020; Nelson et al, 2019; Orff et al, 2016; Pugh et al, 2018).…”

A ‘Network of Understanding and Compassion’: A Qualitative Study of Survivor Perspectives on Unmet Needs After Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Regional Communities

“…Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide (Hyder, Wunderlich, Puvanachandra, Gururaj, & Kobusingye, 2007). The experience of TBI can be devastating for patients, families and the wider community (Holloway et al, 2019;Jones et al, 2020). The injured person may face months of physical rehabilitation (Hellweg & Johannes, 2008); they may have new accommodation and employment needs (Huebner et al, 2003); and they may confront the fundamental challenge of the reconstruction of their personhood (Gracey et al, 2008;Levack et al, 2010).…”