The impact of post-traumatic amnesia in patients with acquired brain injury on caregivers' psychological distress.

Abstract

Caregivers of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) often experience psychological distress, yet trauma-related responses remain underexplored. Post-traumatic amnesia (PTA), characterized by confusion and behavioural disturbances, may represent a particularly stressful experience for family members. This study examined the impact of PTA on post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), anxiety, and depression in caregivers of patients with ABI. In this cross-sectional observational study, 76 caregivers of patients with moderate-to-severe ABI were divided into three groups based on patients' PTA status: current PTA (C-PTA; n = 19), resolved PTA (R-PTA; n = 32), and no PTA (No-PTA; n = 25). Caregivers completed measures assessing PTSS (SCID-5-CV), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), and depression (Beck Depression Inventory). Caregivers of C-PTA patients exhibited significantly higher levels of PTSS compared with the No-PTA group, and higher levels of both state and trait anxiety than caregivers of R-PTA and No-PTA patients, while depressive symptoms were significantly higher in the C-PTA group only compared with the R-PTA group. Exposure to the PTA phase may represent a critical psychological stressor for caregivers. Early screening and targeted support during this phase may help reduce caregivers' distress and improve patients' rehabilitation outcomes.