Mild traumatic brain injuries: the impact of early intervention on late sequelae. A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Positive results from early clinical intervention of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) patients by rehabilitation specialists have been reported. Various treatments have been used, but few controlled studies are published. We hypothesised that early rehabilitation of selected MTBI patients would reduce long term sequelae.

The new Swedish Post-Concussion Symptoms questionnaire: a measure of symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury and its concurrent validity and inter-rater reliability.

Objective: To study the concurrent validity and the inter-rater reliability of the Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire.

Design: The approach was to study the concurrent validity of the Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire when used as an interview questionnaire compared with a self-report questionnaire administered by the patients. The inter-rater reliability was also studied when 2 different raters administered the Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire interview.

Quality of life and post-concussion symptoms in adults after mild traumatic brain injury: a population-based study in western Sweden.

Objectives: To study quality of life and subjective post-concussion symptoms in adults (16-60 years) with a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) 3 months and 1 year after injury.

Methods: Of a total of 489 patients 173 responded to questionnaires at 3 months and at 1 year, including the SF-36 health-related quality of life survey, which is a standardized measure validated for Swedish conditions. Post-concussion symptoms were rated as either existing or non-existing in a 21-item checklist [a modified version of Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS)].

Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury: a population based study in western Sweden.

Background: This study on traumatic brain injury (TBI) is based on prospective and retrospective population based data from a head injury register in Borås.

Methods: Data was collected from the hospital emergency unit, the discharge register, the regional neurosurgical clinic and the coroner's records during 1 year. This district is mixed urban and rural with a population of 138 000.

Quantitative EEG analysis as a supplement to the clinical coma scale RLS85.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between EEG indicators and clinical scores based on the RLS85 (Reaction Level Scale 85) in comatose patients. The results of a simple visual assessment of the EEG, using an arbitrary scale with typical EEG patterns, were compared with those obtained by quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG).

Method: The RLS85 scores were examined in 34 patients with impaired consciousness due to brain tumours, vascular lesions or head injuries.