Psychological impact of injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes: systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open, 2016 · DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011993 · Published: September 1, 2016

Simple Explanation

This meta-analysis aimed to determine the psychological impact associated with physical injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). The study found that individuals with MVC-related injuries, such as whiplash-associated disorder (WAD), spinal cord injury (SCI), and mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (mTBI), experienced elevated psychological distress compared to uninjured controls. The researchers concluded that rehabilitation strategies are needed to minimize distress after MVC-related physical injuries, and that the scientific quality of related studies needs to be improved.

Study Duration

At least 3 years post-MVC

Participants

4502 injured participants

Evidence Level

Systematic review and meta-analysis

Key Findings

1
Elevated psychological distress is associated with MVC-related injuries, with a large effect size in WAD, medium to large in SCI, and small to medium in mTBI.
2
Increased psychological distress remains elevated in SCI, mTBI, and WAD for at least 3 years post-MVC.
3
No studies meeting inclusion criteria were found for burns, fractures, and low back injury.

Research Summary

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated and compared the psychological impact of physical injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes. The meta-analysis methodology was rigorously applied, and a high-yield strategy was used to find quality studies on psychological distress related to traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, whiplash, fractures, burns, and back injury. The study also examined how time since injury affects levels of psychological distress.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

Need to minimize distress subsequent to MVC-related physical injuries.

Awareness for Health Professionals

Professionals should be alert to the heightened risks of elevated psychological distress in MVC-related injury survivors.

Evidence-Based Strategies

Evidence-based psychological/lifestyle strategies for preventing distress becoming chronic are required.

Study Limitations

1
No studies meeting inclusion criteria were found for fractures, burns or back injury.
2
Variables that may moderate the psychological impact such as preinjury psychological status and compensation status were not able to be investigated as they were not reported in most studies.
3
The low number of studies that met inclusion criteria highlights the lack of controlled research in this area.

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