Evaluation of Two Treatments for Chronic Post Concussion Syndrome

Summary

This study is designed to investigate factors that are associated with prolonged recovery from mild head injury. The investigators are particularly interested in defining the impact of anxiety related variables, such as health anxiety and anxiety sensitivity in the maintenance of symptoms.

A further goal of the study is the evaluation of two treatment methods that have been proposed to be effective in reducing the impact of post concussion symptoms. The investigators hypothesize that a treatment which is directly focused on changing these anxiety related variables will be more effective than one that does not.

Conditions

• Post Concussion Syndrome
• Head Injury

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Psychoeducation

Education about the common prognostic considerations, normal symptoms experienced and etiology of symptoms following mild head injury. Includes some basic suggestions surrounding methods to diminish the impact of symptoms on one's life.

BEHAVIORAL

Relaxation Training

Includes Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Guided Visualization, and various other relaxation techniques to induce deep relaxation.

BEHAVIORAL

Interoceptive Exposure

Includes a variety of exercises used to elicit somatic sensations which may be feared by the participant, in an attempt to extinguish or lessen the fear reaction to these sensations.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Simon Fraser University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Kevin C Whitfield, M.A. · Human Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University

• Allen E Thornton, Ph.D. · Human Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University

• Alex P Chapman, Ph.D. · Department of Psychology, Simon fraser University

• David Cox, Ph.D. · Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

19 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2008-04-30

Primary Completion

2014-01-31

Completion

2014-01-31

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations