Strategies to improve the functioning and quality of life of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and mild traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Our research investigated the relationship between various aspects of quality of life in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and comorbid pathology. An analysis of the effectiveness of a comprehensive intervention in terms of various spheres of functioning and quality of life of patients was also carried out. Three hundred and twenty-nine veterans were examined, including 109 with post-traumatic stress disorder, 112 with mild traumatic brain injury, and 108 with comorbidity. The Quality of Life Assessment Scale (by to O. Chaban) was used during the initial examination and after the comprehensive therapeutic intervention. Its results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U test. Treatment lasted 8 weeks and consisted of standard therapy according to the unified protocols for PTSD and mild TBI, psychotherapeutic intervention (a combination of psychoeducation with elements of motivational interviewing and acceptance and commitment therapy for PTSD in the form of weekly psychotherapeutic sessions 1 or 2 times a week) and 10 sessions of transcranial direct current electrical stimulation. The conclusion was made that self-assessment of the quality of life in patients of various clinical groups differs significantly, both at the beginning of the study and after the therapy. The comorbidity of PTSD and TBI leads to the lowest quality of life in general and according to most indicators compared to the PTSD and TBI alone, and as a result of the therapy, this group showed best dynamics in all the studied areas. However, changes in employment were less compared to the PTSD group, and indicators of the quality of physical condition, social activity, financial sphere, living conditions, and the integrated indicator of quality of life remained lower compared to the TBI group.