Personality Characteristics and Acute Symptom Response Predict Chronic Symptoms After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Pre-injury psychiatric history, subacute symptoms and personality traits predict social reintegration at 3-month post-mild traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study was to identify whether the presence of a pre-injury psychiatric history, subacute post-concussive symptoms (PCS) and personality traits were predictive of less favorable social reintegration for 3 months following a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

METHOD

A total of 76 patients with mTBI were included, and the presence of a pre-injury psychiatric history was identified from the medical chart. One-month post-accident, these patients completed the Millon Multiaxial Clinical Inventory, 3rd Edition assessing personality traits and the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire to measure subacute PCS. Social reintegration was measured using the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory, 4th Edition at 3-month post-accident.

RESULTS

The presence of pre-injury psychiatric history, high levels of subacute PCS and Cluster B personality traits such as histrionic and borderline features were significant predictors of social reintegration quality at 3-month post injury.

CONCLUSION

This study provides new insights on cluster B personality traits and its influence on recovery and social reintegration at 3-month post mTBI.

A review of the personality traits in post-concussion syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Various manifestations ranging from physical symptoms to cognitive and emotional impairments could often be seen following head concussions that lead to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). These symptoms are commonly comprising the post-concussion syndrome (PCS) and their resolution could be influenced by multiple factors. Personality traits have been suggested as potential risk factors for the emergence and persistence of PCS. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible predisposition to PCS given by certain personality traits.

METHODS

Prospective cohort studies, observational studies, and cross-phenotype polygenic risk score analyses were selected from the main scientific databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science) based on multiple-step screening, using keywords (such as "personality traits", "post-concussion syndrome", "traumatic brain injury", "anxiety", "depression", "resilience", and "somatization") and inclusion/exclusion criteria (English written studies available in full text presenting relevant data on TBI patients and their personality traits; reviews, animal studies, and studies not written in English, not available in full text, or not presenting full demographical and clinical data were excluded). The investigated personality traits included emotional reserve, somatic trait anxiety, embitterment, mistrust, parental anxiety, state anxiety, trait anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, pain catastrophizing, helplessness, sports-concussion symptom load, and cognitive resilience.

RESULTS

The reviewed data from 16 selected studies suggested that personality traits play an essential role in the development and persistence of PCS. Emotional reserve, cognitive resilience, and lower levels of somatic trait anxiety were associated with better outcomes in PCS. However, higher levels of anxiety sensitivity, pain catastrophizing, helplessness, and sports-concussion symptom load were associated with worse outcomes in PCS. Parental anxiety was not associated with persistent symptoms in children following concussion. Despite the statistical analysis regarding the included publications bias was low, further studies should further investigate the correlation between TBI and some personality traits, as some of the selected studies did not included healthy individuals and their psychological profiles for comparison and correlation analysis.

CONCLUSION

Personality traits may help predict the development and persistence of PCS following mTBI. Understanding the personality traits roles in PCS could assist the development of targeted interventions for the prevention and treatment of PCS. Further research is needed to better understand the complex interactions between personality traits, neurobiological factors, and psychosocial factors in PCS.

Impact of Early Personal Resources on Long-Term Psychosocial Outcomes After Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between preinjury or early personal resources and long-term psychosocial outcomes following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and examine evidence for the stability of personal resources over time.

METHODS

The review protocol was registered with the International Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO, Registration No. CRD4202341056). A search of PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted from inception to February 23, 2023, for longitudinal studies involving adults with moderate-to-severe TBI that examined: (1) the relationship between preinjury or early personal resources (measured ≤6 months postinjury) and later psychosocial outcomes or (2) stability of personal resources over time with a minimum reassessment interval of 3 months. Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility and rated methodological quality of studies using a checklist informed by Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology.

RESULTS

A narrative synthesis was conducted on 14 eligible articles summarizing 12 studies (N = 826). Nine studies examined the impact of preinjury or early personal resources on long-term psychosocial outcomes, most typically at 12 months postdischarge. Out of 9 studies 7 indicated that self-reported preinjury or early personal resources, including productive coping, higher self-esteem and resilience, and lower neuroticism, were associated with better psychosocial outcomes. Evidence from 7 studies examining the stability of personal resources over time was generally mixed, with personality changes (eg, neuroticism, conscientiousness, and extraversion) more evident from informant ratings than self-ratings.

CONCLUSION

Preinjury or early personal resources may influence later psychosocial outcomes after TBI. Further research is needed to investigate the stability of personal resources and factors mediating or moderating change across the adjustment trajectory.

Psychological Constructs From the Fear Avoidance Model and Beyond as Predictors for Persisting Symptoms After Concussion: An Integrative Review

OBJECTIVES

To identify the range of evidence for relationships between psychological factors using the Fear Avoidance Model (FAM) as a guiding framework and relevant clinical outcomes in adult patients with persisting symptoms after concussion (PSaC), develop a comprehensive understanding of psychological factors that have been identified as predictors of clinical outcomes for PSaC, and contribute to the theoretical framework of the FAM for PSaC.

DATA SOURCES

Six databases (CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, SportDiscus, and Web of Science) were searched by a librarian for empirical and theoretical publications and experimental and quasi-experimental study designs. The literature search was not limited by publication date restrictions. Gray literature, with the exception of doctoral dissertations, was excluded.

STUDY SELECTION

We included studies in the English language consisting of human participants aged ≥18 years. Articles must have included both outcomes pertaining to PSaC (≥3mo after injury) and psychological constructs.

DATA EXTRACTION

One reviewer extracted data from the resulting studies using a standardized data extraction form designed for this review. Two reviewers independently assessed risk of bias using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool.

DATA SYNTHESIS

This review found numerous psychological constructs, some directly linked to the FAM, that have potential prognostic relationships with PSaC. However, research remains limited and some psychological factors central to FAM were only identified in a small number of studies (catastrophizing, cogniphobia, and avoidance), whereas other psychological factors were studied more extensively (anxiety and depression).

CONCLUSIONS

There is the need for additional evidence, and this integrative review provides an adaptation of the FAM for PSaC to be used as a guiding preliminary framework for future research. Future research should aim to include psychological factors proposed in this modified FAM to fully understand PSaC.

Dynamic phase-locking states and personality in sub-acute mild traumatic brain injury: An exploratory study

Research has shown that maladaptive personality characteristics, such as Neuroticism, are associated with poor outcome after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The current exploratory study investigated the neural underpinnings of this process using dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC) analyses of resting-state (rs) fMRI, and diffusion MRI (dMRI). Twenty-seven mTBI patients and 21 healthy controls (HC) were included. After measuring the Big Five personality dimensions, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to obtain a superordinate factor representing emotional instability, consisting of high Neuroticism, moderate Openness, and low Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. Persistent symptoms were measured using the head injury symptom checklist at six months post-injury; symptom severity (i.e., sum of all items) was used for further analyses. For patients, brain MRI was performed in the sub-acute phase (~1 month) post-injury. Following parcellation of rs-fMRI using independent component analysis, leading eigenvector dynamic analysis (LEiDA) was performed to compute dynamic phase-locking brain states. Main patterns of brain diffusion were computed using tract-based spatial statistics followed by PCA. No differences in phase-locking state measures were found between patients and HC. Regarding dMRI, a trend significant decrease in fractional anisotropy was found in patients relative to HC, particularly in the fornix, genu of the corpus callosum, anterior and posterior corona radiata. Visiting one specific phase-locking state was associated with lower symptom severity after mTBI. This state was characterized by two clearly delineated communities (each community consisting of areas with synchronized phases): one representing an executive/saliency system, with a strong contribution of the insulae and basal ganglia; the other representing the canonical default mode network. In patients who scored high on emotional instability, this relationship was even more pronounced. Dynamic phase-locking states were not related to findings on dMRI. Altogether, our results provide preliminary evidence for the coupling between personality and dFNC in the development of long-term symptoms after mTBI.

Exploring the Association between Personality Traits, Symptom Burden, and Return to Work after Mild-to-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

Approximately 30% of individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) experience persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). Personality factors have been linked to PPCS, yet, the association between personality traits and outcomes after mTBI is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between personality traits, PPCS, and return to work (RTW) in patients with mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). Data from eighty-seven participants with mild-to-moderate TBI were analyzed. Sociodemographic, injury, and work characteristics and depressive symptoms were recorded 2-3 months post-injury. Personality traits were measured using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory-3. PPCS and RTW were assessed 15 months post-injury. Multiple linear regression models were performed. The factors associated with more severe PPCS were female sex, higher levels of neuroticism, openness to experience and conscientiousness, extra-cranial injuries, and depressive symptoms. The factors associated with lower RTW were female sex, higher levels of neuroticism, and conscientiousness. However, after controlling for PPCS, personality traits were no longer significantly associated with RTW. In conclusion, specific personality traits were associated with more severe PPCS and may be indirectly associated with RTW via PPCS. Hence, personality traits may be important to assess to identify patients at risk of less favorable outcomes after mild-to-moderate TBI.

Management of Psychological Complications Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

It has been clear for decades that psychological factors often contribute to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) outcome, but an emerging literature has begun to clarify which specific factors are important, when, for whom, and how they impact recovery. This review aims to summarize the contemporary evidence on psychological determinants of recovery from mTBI and its implications for clinical management.

RECENT FINDINGS

Comorbid mental health disorders and specific illness beliefs and coping behaviors (e.g., fear avoidance) are associated with worse recovery from mTBI. Proactive assessment and intervention for psychological complications can improve clinical outcomes. Evidence-based treatments for primary mental health disorders are likely also effective for treating mental health disorders after mTBI, and can reduce overall post-concussion symptoms. Broad-spectrum cognitive-behavioral therapy may modestly improve post-concussion symptoms, but tailoring delivery to individual psychological risk factors and/or symptoms may improve its efficacy. Addressing psychological factors in treatments delivered primarily by non-psychologists is a promising and cost-effective approach for enhancing clinical management of mTBI. Recent literature emphasizes a bio-psycho-socio-ecological framework for understanding mTBI recovery and a precision rehabilitation approach to maximize recovery. Integrating psychological principles into rehabilitation and tailoring interventions to specific risk factors may improve clinical management of mTBI.

Differing associations between measures of somatic symptom reporting, personality, and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)

Objective: Somatic complaints are known to complicate recovery after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), but the construct is poorly understood due to evolving definitions of associated disorders and uncertainty related to its position within the broader construct network of psychopathology. Methods: To better understand measures of somatic symptom reporting widely used with mTBI patients, we examined relationships between the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 Somatization (SOM) scale, the Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form Somatic Complaints (RC1) scale, other measures of psychological and personality functioning, and mTBI in both athlete concussion (n = 100) and civilian trauma (n = 75 mTBI, n = 79 orthopedic injury) samples. Results: The association between post-injury SOM and RC1 was moderate (r=.37-.46) and similar to associations between these inventories and depression and anxiety symptoms. In civilians with mTBI, RC1 was more strongly associated with diverse personality dimensions than SOM. mTBI athletes reported increases in somatic symptoms from pre- to post-injury, with larger group effect sizes on SOM (ηp2 = 0.34, p < .001) than RC1 (ηp2 = 0.09, p = .003). Civilian mTBI patients showed a trend for somewhat higher post-injury RC1 scores than orthopedic trauma controls (ηp2 = 0.02, p = .068). Conclusions: Findings add to the current knowledge of the influence of somatic complaints in mTBI. BSI-18 SOM and MMPI-2-RF RC1 are not interchangeable, as they are only modestly correlated and demonstrate differing associations with other clinical outcomes and mTBI.

Cognitive performance in older people after mild traumatic brain injury: Trauma effects and other risk factors

OBJECTIVE

Cognitive symptoms are common in the initial weeks after mTBI, but recovery is generally expected within three months. However, there is limited information about recovery specifically in older age cohorts. Therefore, this study investigated cognitive outcome three months after mTBI in older adults (≥ 65 years) compared to trauma and community age-matched controls and explored risk factors for outcome after traumatic injury.

METHODS

Older mTBI patients (n = 40) and older adults with mild traumatic injury but without head injury (n = 66) were compared to a noninjured community control group (n = 47). Cognitive assessment included neuropsychological and computerized tests. Group differences were compared on individual tasks and overall cognitive performances using composite scores. Regression analyses identified predictors of outcome for trauma patients and moderator analyses explored possible interactions of mTBI severity with age and cognition.

RESULTS

As well as lower performances in processing speed and memory, both trauma groups had significantly lower performance on composite neuropsychological (d = .557 and .670) and computerized tasks (d = .783 and .824) compared to noninjured controls. Age, education, and history of depression were direct predictors of cognitive performance after mild traumatic injury (with or without head injury). Further moderation analysis demonstrated that mTBI severity (Glasgow Coma Scale < 15) moderated the impact of older age on computerized assessment (β = -.138).

CONCLUSIONS

Three months after mild trauma (regardless of head injury), older people demonstrate lower cognition compared to noninjured peers. However, severity of mTBI (Glasgow Coma Scale < 15) can interact with older age to predict poorer cognitive outcomes.

Psychosocial Factors and Psychological Characteristics of Personality of Patients with Chronic Diseases Using Artificial Intelligence Data Mining Technology and Wireless Network Cloud Service Platform

It was to explore the application value of health cloud service platform based on data mining algorithm and wireless network in the analysis of psychosocial factors and psychological characteristics of personality of patients with chronic diseases. Based on the demand analysis of cloud service platform for chronic diseases, a health cloud service platform including three modules was established: support layer, application layer, and interaction layer; and K-means algorithm and Apriori algorithm were used to mine and process data. The changes of pulse wave and EEG signal of epileptic seizures before and after processing by wireless network health cloud service platform were analyzed. 42 patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy were selected as the research subjects, and 40 volunteers with normal physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group. The differences in the basic clinical characteristics data, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revision Short Scale for Chinese (EPQ-RSC) were compared between the two groups. It was found that the initial EEG signals of epileptic patients had noise pollution before and after the seizure, and the noise in the EEG signals was filtered out after digital technology processing in the cloud service platform. The maximum number of epileptic patients aged 18∼30 years was 17 (40.48%), and the mean scores of HAMD and HAMA scales in the epileptic group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.001). The total score of SCL-90, somatization, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychosis in the epilepsy group were obviously higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01). The mean value of EPQ-RSC and neuroticism (N) was clearly higher (P < 0.05), the mean value of extroversion (E) was significantly lower (P < 0.01), and the mean value of Lie Scale was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the epileptic group in contrast with those in the control group. It indicates that the cloud service platform for chronic diseases based on artificial intelligence data mining technology and wireless network has potential application value. Epilepsy patients with chronic diseases should be paid more attention to their psychosocial factors and psychological characteristics of personality in the treatment process.

Forensic psychiatric analysis of organic personality disorders after craniocerebral injury in Shanghai, China

OBJECTIVE

To explore the incidence rate and the differences of clinical manifestations of organic personality disorders with varying degrees of craniocerebral trauma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

According to the International Classification of Diseases-10, 1,027 subjects with craniocerebral trauma caused by traffic accidents were reviewed, the degrees of craniocerebral trauma were graded and those with personality disorder after craniocerebral trauma were diagnosed. The personality characteristics of all patients were evaluated by using the simplified Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI).

RESULTS

The incidence rate of organic personality disorder after all kinds of craniocerebral trauma was 33.1%, while it was 38.7 and 44.2% in the patients after moderate and severe craniocerebral trauma, respectively, which was significantly higher than that in the patients after mild craniocerebral trauma (18.0%) (P < 0.05). Compared with the patients without personality disorder, the neuroticism, extraversion and agreeableness scores all showed significantly differences (P < 0.05) in the patients with personality disorder after craniocerebral trauma; especially the conscientiousness scores showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in the patients with personality disorder after moderate and severe craniocerebral trauma. The agreeableness and conscientiousness scores in the patients with personality disorder after moderate and severe craniocerebral trauma were significantly lower than that after mild craniocerebral trauma, and the patients with personality disorder after severe craniocerebral trauma had lower scores in extraversion than that after mild craniocerebral trauma.

CONCLUSION

The severity and area of craniocerebral trauma is closely related to the incidence rate of organic personality disorder, and it also affects the clinical manifestations of the latter, which provides a certain significance and help for forensic psychiatric appraisal.