Pharmacological Treatment of Agitation and/or Aggression in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review of Reviews. Issue 4 (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rahmani, Elham; Lemelle, Tricia M.; Samarbafzadeh, Ehsan; Kablinger, Anita S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of head trauma rehabilitation. Volume 36:Issue 4(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: aggression -- agitation -- behavioral disorder -- brain injury -- management -- pharmacology -- TBI -- traumatic brain injury -- treatment; Brain damage -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Brain damage -- Periodicals; 617.4810443
• DOI: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000656
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-9701

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To systematically review the available literature on the pharmacological management of agitation and/or aggression in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), synthesize the available data, and provide guidelines. Design: Systematic review of systematic reviews. Main Measures: A literature review of the following websites was performed looking for systematic reviews on the treatment of agitation and/or aggression among patients with TBI: PubMed, CINAHL, DynaMed, Health Business Elite, and EBSCO (Psychology and behavioral sciences collection). Two researchers independently assessed articles for meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data were extracted on year of publication, reviewed databases, dates of coverage, search limitations, pharmacological agents of interest, and a list of all controlled studies included. The included controlled studies were then examined to determine potential reasons for any difference in recommendations. Results: The literature review led to 187 citations and 67 unique publications after removing the duplicates. Following review of the title/abstracts and full texts, a total of 11 systematic reviews were included. The systematic reviews evaluated the evidence for safety and efficacy of the following medications: amantadine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, antiepileptics, atypical and typical antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, β-blockers, and sertraline. Conclusions: On the basis of the results of this literature review, the authors recommend avoiding benzodiazepines and haloperidol for treating agitation and/or aggression in the context of TBI. Atypical antipsychotics (olanzapine in particular) can be considered as practical alternatives for the as-needed management of agitation and/or aggression in lieu of benzodiazepines and haloperidol. Amantadine, β-blockers (propranolol and pindolol), antiepileptics, and methylphenidate can be considered for scheduled treatment of agitation and/or aggression in patients with TBI.