Quality of Life Priorities for People with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review

Objective(s): To understand the barriers, facilitators, and interventions that improve the quality in life in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Data Sources: The following electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed journal articles: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO. Search terms included MeSH terms related to brain injury and quality of life.
Study Selection: Journal articles were included if they were published after 1990, explored the barriers, facilitators, or interventions that improved quality of life, and included participants over the age of 18 with moderate to severe TBI. Systematic and scoping reviews were excluded.
Data Extraction: This scoping review was conducted using the six-stage framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005). Two independent reviewers screened for title and abstract, as well as full text review. Article information was extracted (e.g., study details, purpose, methods, participant information) as well as quality of life outcomes, types of interventions used, and barriers and facilitators relating to quality of life.
Data Synthesis: There were 7585 articles screened, including 544 full text articles. Ultimately, 102 articles were identified that described barriers, facilitators, or interventions associated with quality of life after TBI. Barriers included lack of leisure activities, fatigue, and depression. Facilitators consisted of social support, employment, and community integration. Interventions included holistic rehabilitation, community integration, and psychotherapy.

Conclusions: By identifying the barriers, facilitators, and interventions relating to quality of life after TBI, rehabilitation professionals can incorporate this information to develop a targeted rehabilitation plan for individuals with TBI.
Author(s) Disclosures: No disclosures