Analysis of Discourse Production to Assess Cognitive Communication Deficits Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury With and Without Posttraumatic Stress

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Jennifer Rae Myers ◽  
Nancy Pearl Solomon ◽  
Rael T. Lange ◽  
Louis M. French ◽  
Sara M. Lippa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
Word Count ◽  
Discourse Production ◽  
Communication Deficits ◽  
Global Coherence ◽  
Significant Difference

Purpose: Cognitive communication deficits can be difficult to assess in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). However, the use of discourse analysis as a direct and sensitive metric of cognitive communication skills has shown promising clinical utility for other TBI severity levels. This exploratory study investigated discourse production in service members and veterans (SMVs) with uncomplicated mTBI with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and SMVs with neither mTBI or PTSD. Method: Fifteen SMVs with mTBI and PTSD, 26 with mTBI, and 25 controls with no brain injury (NBI) and without PTSD were given a wordless picture story to elicit spontaneous discourse. Discourse samples were analyzed for global coherence, word count, the use of negative emotion words, cognitive process words, nonfluencies, and story completeness. Results: Results revealed a significant difference between the mTBI ( Mdn = 3.33) and NBI ( Mdn = 3.50) groups, χ 2 (3) = 6.044, p = .017, ε 2 = .03, for global coherence. Word count differed significantly between the mTBI + PTSD ( Mdn = 135) and NBI ( Mdn = 195) groups, χ 2 (3) = 7.968, p = .006, ε 2 = .06. No other group differences were observed. Discussion: Structural features of discourse production may serve as potential markers of cognitive communication deficits in mTBI. Furthermore, PTSD may contribute to verbal fluency deficits in individuals with mTBI. Additional research is needed to develop discourse-related measures that are more sensitive to the effects of mTBI and PTSD.

Assessment of Cognitive-Communicative Disorders of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Sustained in Combat

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Parrish ◽  
Carole Roth ◽  
Brooke Roberts ◽  
Gail Davie
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Patient Questionnaire ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Test Protocol ◽  
Communication Deficits

Abstract Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is recognized as the signature injury of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet there remains limited understanding of the persisting cognitive deficits of mTBI sustained in combat. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have traditionally been responsible for evaluating and treating the cognitive-communication disorders following severe brain injuries. The evaluation instruments historically used are insensitive to the subtle deficits found in individuals with mTBI. Objectives: Based on the limited literature and clinical evidence describing traditional and current tests for measuring cognitive-communication deficits (CCD) of TBI, the strengths and weaknesses of the instruments are discussed relative to their use with mTBI. It is necessary to understand the nature and severity of CCD associated with mTBI for treatment planning and goal setting. Yet, the complexity of mTBI sustained in combat, which often co-occurs with PTSD and other psychological health and physiological issues, creates a clinical challenge for speech-language pathologists worldwide. The purpose of the paper is to explore methods for substantiating the nature and severity of CCD described by service members returning from combat. Methods: To better understand the nature of the functional cognitive-communication deficits described by service members returning from combat, a patient questionnaire and a test protocol were designed and administered to over 200 patients. Preliminary impressions are described addressing the nature of the deficits and the challenges faced in differentiating the etiologies of the CCD. Conclusions: Speech-language pathologists are challenged with evaluating, diagnosing, and treating the cognitive-communication deficits of mTBI resulting from combat-related injuries. Assessments that are sensitive to the functional deficits of mTBI are recommended. An interdisciplinary rehabilitation model is essential for differentially diagnosing the consequences of mTBI, PTSD, and other psychological and physical health concerns.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Exacerbates Emotional Complaints but not Cognitive Impairments in Individuals Suffering from Postconcussional Disorder after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara C. Schroeder ◽  
Ronald M. Ruff ◽  
Lutz Jäncke
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Composite Scale

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on (a) neuropsychological test performance and (b) self-reported emotional complaints within individuals suffering from postconcussional disorder (PCD) after a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). A two-group comparative research design was employed. Two MTBI samples with and without PTSD were assessed with a neuropsychological test battery and the Ruff Neurobehavioral Inventory (RNBI). On the neurocognitive test performances no significant between group differences were found, but the MTBI group with PTSD endorsed a significantly greater number of emotional complaints, especially in the RNBI subscales of anxiety and depression. The patients with PTSD also endorsed a significantly greater number of premorbid sequelae in the RNBI emotional composite scale as well as the RNBI premorbid subscales of pain, anxiety and abuse. In sum, PTSD has a negative impact on emotional but not cognitive functioning within individuals suffering from PCD after a mild TBI.

scholarly journals Serum S100B Determination in the Management of Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 1116-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien Bouvier ◽  
Mathilde Fournier ◽  
Jean-Benoît Dauphin ◽  
Flore Amat ◽  
Sylvie Ughetto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Reference Interval ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Cranial Computed Tomography ◽  
Serum S100b ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hospitalization Costs ◽  
Group 2

Abstract BACKGROUND The place of serum S100B measurement in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) management is still controversial. Our prospective study aimed to evaluate its utility in the largest child cohort described to date. METHODS Children younger than 16 years presenting at a pediatric emergency department within 3 h after TBI were enrolled prospectively for blood sampling to determine serum S100B concentrations. The following information was collected: TBI severity determined by using the Masters classification [1: minimal or Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 15, 2: mild or GCS 13–15, and 3: severe or GCS <13]; whether hospitalized or not; good or bad clinical evolution (CE); whether cranial computed tomography (CCT) was prescribed; and related presence (CCT+) or absence (CCT−) of lesions. RESULTS For the 446 children enrolled, the median concentrations of S100B were 0.21, 0.31, and 0.44 μg/L in Masters groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between these groups (P < 0.05). In Masters group 2, 65 CCT scans were carried out. Measurement of S100B identified patients as CCT+ with 100% (95% CI 85–100) sensitivity and 33% (95% CI 20–50) specificity. Of the 424 children scored Masters 1 or 2, 21 presented “bad CE.” S100B identified bad CE patients with 100% (95% CI 84–100) sensitivity and 36% (95% CI 31–41) specificity. Of the 242 children hospitalized, 81 presented an S100B concentration within the reference interval. CONCLUSIONS Serum S100B determination during the first 3 h of management of children with mTBI has the potential to reduce the number of CCT scans, thereby avoiding unnecessary irradiation, and to save hospitalization costs.

scholarly journals Head CT overuse in children with a mild traumatic brain injury within two Canadian emergency departments

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-32
Author(s):  
Martin Gariepy ◽  
Jocelyn Gravel ◽  
France Légaré ◽  
Edward R Melnick ◽  
Erik P Hess ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Trauma Centre ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
General Level ◽  
Head Ct ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background The validated Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Network (PECARN) rule helps determine the relevance of a head computerized tomography (CT) for children with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). We sought to estimate the potential overuse of head CT within two Canadian emergency departments (EDs). Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of children seen in 2016 in a paediatric Level I (site 1) and a general Level II (site 2) trauma centre. We reviewed charts to determine the appropriateness of head CT use according to the PECARN rule in a random subset of children presenting with head trauma. Simple descriptive statistics were applied. Results One thousand five hundred and forty-six eligible patients younger than 17 years consulted during the study period. Of the 203 randomly selected cases per setting, 16 (7.9%) and 24 (12%), respectively from sites 1 and 2 had a head CT performed. Based on the PECARN rule, we estimated the overuse for the younger group (<2 years) to be below 3% for both hospitals without significant difference between them. For the older group (≥2 years), the overuse rate was higher at site 2 (9.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.8 to 17% versus 1.2%, 95% CI: 0.2 to 6.5%, P=0.03). Conclusion Both EDs demonstrated overuse rates below 10% although it was higher for the older group at site 2. Such low rates can potentially be explained by the university affiliation of both hospitals and by two Canadian organizations working to raise awareness among physicians about the overuse of diagnostic tools and dangers inherent to radiation.

scholarly journals Risk of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depression in Civilian Patients After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murray B. Stein ◽  
Sonia Jain ◽  
Joseph T. Giacino ◽  
Harvey Levin ◽  
Sureyya Dikmen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Stress Disorder
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