"I Wish I Had That!": A Qualitative Analysis of Psychosocial Treatment Preferences Among Young Adults With Recent Concussion and Anxiety.
Heena R Manglani, Brenda C Lovette, Victoria A Grunberg and 3 others
PMID 38369228WHAT IT FOUND
Young adults with recent concussion and anxiety want a short, early, virtual program led by a compassionate facilitator.
They need clear facts to debunk myths, coping skills for activity pacing, and validation that their symptoms are normal. They prefer agency over rigid instructions.
Key findings
01Participants desired reliable, evidence-based information to debunk myths and normalize anxiety, as well as practical skills for safely pacing activities to manage symptom flare-ups.
02A supportive, person-centered therapeutic environment was crucial, with participants wanting a compassionate facilitator who validates their pain and offers hope, rather than a rigid protocol.
03Logistically, participants preferred early intervention via a short (4-week), flexible, virtual program with options for audio-only materials to accommodate screen sensitivity and busy schedules.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was predominantly White, non-Hispanic, limiting generalizability to diverse populations. The study did not distinguish between pre-existing anxiety and anxiety developing after concussion. Participants were excluded if they had recently engaged in CBT or mindfulness, which may bias preferences toward novel or non-traditional approaches. Findings reflect preferences for a proposed program, not actual treatment outcomes or efficacy.
Declared interests
One author (AMV) has received consulting fees from Calm and Beaver Health. All other authors disclosed no relevant conflicts. The study was funded by the National Institute of Health (N.I.H.) and non-U.S. government sources.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these preferences as evidence that a specific program is effective. This study identifies what young adults want in a treatment, not whether such a treatment reduces symptoms or improves recovery.