Scoping review of return-to-work interventions for persons with traumatic brain injury

PurposeThe study approach sought to understand which VR strategies are available for individuals seeking RTW following TBI. Secondly, the review aimed to identify how these RTW interventions and outcomes are evaluated.Materials and MethodsUsing the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) approach, the scoping review began by identifying relevant English language articles via PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase databases for peer-reviewed journal articles published from January 2013 to September 2021. The review focused on identifying studies with a sample population of people with moderate to severe TBI.ResultsA total of 23 studies met the search criteria. For each included study, the following data were extracted: (a) country of origin, (b) sample size, (c) civilian or military sample population, (d) age, (e) participant gender, (f) RTW definition, (g) intervention approach, and (h) RTW outcome. The results were synthesized by placement into one of four categories as a function of the study's underlying methodological approachConclusionsThe development of effective RTW approaches has largely been neglected in the rehabilitation literature for persons with TBI in civilian and military populations. Effective strategies do exist to help guide efforts to return this population to productive activity, including work.