Eveline Frischknecht

Fostering adjustment to acquired brain injury by psychotherapeutic interventions: a preliminary study.

This preliminary study investigates the effectiveness of a treatment program in which neuropsychological interventions are supplemented by psychotherapeutic interventions to foster the adjustment process. Eleven patients who had an adjustment disorder following an acquired brain injury were recruited for the treatment group. Measures were assessed at the beginning and end using the Structured Clinical Interview, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Goal Attainment Scaling procedure, and the Trier Coping Scales. Significant pre- to post-assessment differences emerged in terms of depression and coping styles. The findings suggest that patients benefit from an integrated treatment program to foster adjustment. These findings encourage further investigation of this integrative treatment in larger samples through randomized controlled trials with adequate control treatments.

Diagnosis and treatment of an obsessive-compulsive disorder following traumatic brain injury: a single case and review of the literature.

A 27-year-old patient with traumatic brain injury and neuropsychiatric symptoms fitting the obsessive–compulsive disorder was investigated. Brain CT-scan revealed left temporal and bilateral fronto-basal parenchymal contusions. Main Outcome Measure was the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale at pre- and post-treatment and at 6 months follow-up. The combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy resulted in lower intensity and frequency of symptoms. Our case illustrates the importance of a detailed diagnostic procedure in order to provide appropriate therapeutic interventions. Further studies are needed to guide the clinician in determining which patients are likely to benefit from a psychotherapeutic intervention in combination with pharmacotherapy.