The Journal of head trauma rehabilitation
-
J Head Trauma Rehabil · May 2017
ReviewIs Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Effective for Traumatic Brain Injury? A Rapid Evidence Assessment of the Literature and Recommendations for the Field.
This systematic review examines the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) for traumatic brain injury (TBI) to make evidence-based recommendations for its application and future research. ⋯ For mild TBI, results indicate HBO2 is no better than sham treatment. Improvements within both HBO2 and sham groups cannot be ignored. For acute treatment of moderate-to-severe TBI, although methodology appears flawed across some studies, because of the complexity of brain injury, HBO2 may be beneficial as a relatively safe adjunctive therapy if feasible. Further research should be considered to resolve the controversy surrounding this field, but only if methodological flaws are avoided and bias minimized.
-
J Head Trauma Rehabil · May 2017
Symptom Trajectories After Military Blast Exposure and the Influence of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.
Blast-related mild traumatic brain injury (blast mTBI) is a signature wound of recent US military conflicts in the Middle East, but the relatedness of postconcussive symptoms (PCS) to the blast mTBI is unclear, and longitudinal symptom data are sparse. ⋯ History of blast mTBI accompanied by posttraumatic amnesia is associated with greater nonspecific symptoms after deployment, and prognosis for improvement when symptoms are prominent is poor.
-
J Head Trauma Rehabil · Mar 2017
Comparative StudyA Paired Comparison of Initial and Recurrent Concussions Sustained by US High School Athletes Within a Single Athletic Season.
To compare initial and recurrent concussions regarding average number of days between concussions, acute concussion symptoms and symptom resolution time, and return to play time. ⋯ We found that athletes' initial and recurrent concussions had similar symptom presentations and resolution time. Despite these similarities, athletes were restricted from returning to play for longer periods following a recurrent concussion, indicating clinicians are managing recurrent concussions more conservatively. It is probable that concussion recognition and management are superior now compared with when previous studies were published, possibly improving recurrent concussion outcomes.
-
J Head Trauma Rehabil · Jan 2017
Review Comparative StudyNeuroimaging in Blast-Related Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.
To summarize imaging findings in blast-related mild traumatic brain injury. ⋯ Vast variation in the sample, design, and measurement features across studies precludes salient conclusions regarding the effectiveness of neuroimaging to assess outcomes and elucidate pathomechanisms. The inherent spatial heterogeneity of mild traumatic brain injury pathology presents a major challenge to meaningful convergence across and generalizable inferences. Approaches to standardize methodology and facilitate access to data and integration across studies hold promise for enhancing our understanding of this complex brain disorder, but can only bear fruit if they are actually consistently implemented.
-
J Head Trauma Rehabil · Nov 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialImpact of Early Follow-Up Intervention on Parent-Reported Postconcussion Pediatric Symptoms: A Feasibility Study.
To investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of early intervention telephone counseling with parents in limiting postconcussion symptoms and impacts on children and youth. ⋯ The findings suggest that the early counseling intervention strategy trialed herein may not be effective for children and youth who experience significant postconcussion symptoms. Further research is needed to determine whether more intensive and integrated care would better serve children.