Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Adapting to Consequences

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) affects more than 28,000 individuals annually in Thailand; however, little information about outcome after mTBI is known. This investigation aimed to explore consequences of mTBI among Thai adults who experienced mTBI in the previous 3-12 months.

A sample of 135 adults was interviewed. Subjects were typically men, middle aged and approximately half were married. All completed the compulsory level of education in Thailand and were in the low income bracket. Subjects had Glasgow Coma Scores 14/15 at 30 minutes after injury and 15/15 (full score) after 3 days. Subjects reported low post-concussion symptoms scores and few depressive symptoms. All subjects worked or studied before the injury and almost of them returned to normal lives at the time of interview. However, 18% did experience moderately severe disability and 1.5% suffered severe disabilities.

Future studies with longitudinal, comparison, or predictive methodology with reduced but relevant variables are suggested. Measures used in this study demonstrated reliability, supporting their use in Thailand. Providing health education and printed information regarding outcomes and disability after mTBI is recommended. Further study of the small but clinically important percentage of subjects who experience ongoing disability after mTBI is needed.