Information interventions for recovery following vehicle-related trauma to persons of working age: a systematic review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES Given the burden associated with vehicle-related trauma, there is interest in time and cost effective methods of providing information to assist recovery. This systematic review aims to address the question: "Do targeted early information interventions improve outcomes following vehicle--related injuries for persons of working age?" DATA SOURCES Ovid Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO and Cochrane databases were searched for studies published between 1990-April 2011. DATA SELECTION Included studies were randomized or pseudo--randomized controlled trials of information interventions delivered to working age persons following vehicle-related injuries. Two reviewers independently selected and appraised the studies. DATA SYNTHESIS Sixteen publications (13 primary studies) met the inclusion criteria and were assessed for bias. Hetero-geneity in terms of the information interventions and measured outcomes was encountered. In 4 of the included studies, the intervention was positively associated with at least one outcome reported. Methodological issues limited the conclusions that could be drawn. CONCLUSION Following vehicle-related trauma, people often experience difficulties in ongoing functioning. The current evidence neither supports nor fails to support the effectiveness of information interventions in promoting injury recovery. There is a need for larger more methodologically and conceptually rigorous randomized controlled trials that better consider the type and timing of the intervention.