Researchers followed up on 142 hospitalised mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) survivors at 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months post-injury. They completed questionnaires and interviews at each time point to assess levels of fatigue, insomnia, cognitive complaints, anxiety, depression, headaches, dizziness, quality of life, social participation and healthcare service use.
3 or more symptoms were reported at each time point among ≥45% of participants. The presence of this number of symptoms was associated with issues such as lower returning to work rates and poorer social participation. 5 or more symptoms were reported at each time point among ≥15% of participants.
The authors conclude that clinicians should be aware of the presence of long-term symptoms following mTBI.
For more information on the research, visit www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02699052.2025.2574328.
Reference: Cairns, K., Beaulieu-Bonneau, S., Lamontagne, M.-È., de Guise, É., Moore, L., Savard, J., Sirois, M.-J., Swaine, B., & Ouellet, M.-C. (2026). Symptom burden in the first four years following hospitalization after mild traumatic brain injury, 40(1).
doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2025.2574328
For more information on mild traumatic brain injury and coping with the effects of this, including longer-term effects, see our publication Mild head injury and concussion.