A-141 An Inclusive Recruitment Strategy Can Help to Improve mTBI Research

Abstract

Abstract Objective Participant recruitment for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) research is challenging due to confounding factors and other documented selection biases. The strict application of typical inclusion and exclusion criteria has raised questions about the generalizability of mTBI research. This study explored the effect of applying commonly employed selection criteria on eligibility for mTBI research. Method Between July and October 2019, a trained research nurse performed a weekly review of a tertiary hospital emergency department treatment registry. Three hundred and eight cases coded as “minor head injury” were identified (Mage = 43.7, SDage = 25.6). The case records underwent formal data extraction. Extracted clinical and demographic data were mapped against commonly applied mTBI research selection parameters. The presence of persistent postconcussion symptoms (PPCS) was established via telephone administration of the Rivermead Postconcussion Symptom Questionnaire, 7–19 days post injury. Results Analysis revealed that 23% of patients met the World Health Organization operational definition of an mTBI. The failure to meet this criterion was primarily due to missing or incomplete information for post-traumatic amnesia. The application of exclusion criteria left just 5.5% of the initial pool eligible for mTBI research. Of these participants, ongoing PPCS could not be established in any individuals. Conclusion Participant recruitment for mTBI research could be improved by establishing a dedicated patient management system that streamlines and augments the quality of vital clinical data. An inclusive recruitment strategy that handles patient heterogeneity using statistical methods as opposed to exclusion from research could enhance the generalisability of mTBI research.