The Effect of Diagnostic Terminology on Cognitive, Emotional, and Somatic Outcomes Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Although used interchangeably to represent similar acute injury characteristics, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and concussion may result in different functional outcomes. This investigation sought to determine whether varying diagnostic terminology resulted in differences in perceived cognitive, emotional, somatic symptom sequalae, and expected recovery time. A total of 108 university students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: concussion (n=31), mTBI (n=44), or undiagnosed injury (n=33), and were instructed to simulate on a battery of cognitive, emotional, and somatic measures. There were no differences between the mTBI and concussion groups on cognitive (d=.09), emotional (d=.09), and somatic (d=.09) variables; however, the mTBI group perceived greater cognitive (d=.15), emotional (d=.33), and somatic (d=.28) consequences compared to the no diagnosis group. These findings provide preliminary support for the potential iatrogenic effects that may arise as a result of providing participants with a list of common brain injury symptoms.M.A