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Anxiety Sensitivity and Alexithymia as Mediators of Postconcussion Syndrome Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Rodger Wood, Geraldine OʼHagan, Claire Williams Orcid Logo, Michael McCabe, Nicole Chadwick

Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, Volume: 29, Issue: 1, Pages: E9 - E17

Swansea University Authors: Rodger Wood, Claire Williams Orcid Logo

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Abstract

Objective: To examine the influence of anxiety sensitivity (AS) and alexithymia as potential mediators for the development psychological distress and post concussion syndrome (PCS) after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Participants: Sixty-one patients with mTBI and demographically matched health...

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Published in: Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation
ISSN: 0885-9701
Published: 2014
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa13214
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Abstract: Objective: To examine the influence of anxiety sensitivity (AS) and alexithymia as potential mediators for the development psychological distress and post concussion syndrome (PCS) after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Participants: Sixty-one patients with mTBI and demographically matched healthy controls (N=61). Measures: 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Anxiety Sensitivity Index, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Rivermead Post Concussion Questionnaire. Results: The mTBI group reported significantly higher levels of AS, alexithymia, psychological distress, and post concussion (PC) symptom scores compared to controls. High AS and alexithymia in the mTBI group was associated with a greater number of PC symptoms and higher levels of psychological distress compared to patients scoring low on these measures, and healthy controls. In the mTBI group a combination of AS and low mood explained 52.6% of the variance in PC symptom reporting. A combination of trait-anxiety, alexithymia and PC symptoms was able to explain 77.2% of the variance in levels of mood. Conclusion: A combination of low mood and high AS may act as a psychological diathesis for the development of persisting post concussional symptoms. Early identification could provide a focus for early intervention to prevent the development of post concussion syndrome after mTBI.
Keywords: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury; Psychological Distress; Alexithymia; Anxiety Sensitivity; Post-Concussion Symptoms, Post Concussion Syndrome.
College: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Issue: 1
Start Page: E9
End Page: E17