The Experience of Return to Work Among People with Persistent Symptoms Following a Concussion: An Interview Study.
Karin Vierø, Lisbeth Lund Pedersen, Jan Hartvigsen and 1 others
PMID 40588625WHAT IT FOUND
Seven Danes with persistent concussion symptoms described their return-to-work process as defined by whether others believed them.
Supportive stakeholders shortened their recovery, while distrust and random, late access to energy management programs prolonged it and caused isolation.
Key findings
01Participants felt that encountering understanding and belief from healthcare professionals and employers was central to their relief and perceived success in returning to work.
02Access to municipal energy management programs was experienced as random and often too late, contributing to uncertainty and prolonged recovery.
03Lack of consideration for cognitive and sensory symptoms, such as noise sensitivity and concentration difficulties, led to feelings of humiliation and pressure to exceed capabilities.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was very small (seven participants), limiting the transferability of the findings. All participants were from municipalities that offered energy management programs, so the experiences of those without such services are not represented. All participants reported having supportive partners, meaning the study could not explore how lack of spousal support might affect the return-to-work process. The first author had personal experience with persistent concussion symptoms, which, while bracketed, may have influenced the interpretation of the data.
Declared interests
The study was approved by the University of Southern Denmark Research & Innovation Office. No specific funding sources or commercial conflicts of interest are explicitly detailed in the provided text beyond standard institutional ethics approval.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence that a specific intervention works. This is a descriptive study of seven people's experiences, not a trial. While participants believed recognition shortened their recovery, this association is subjective and cannot be generalized to all patients with persistent concussion symptoms.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →