Emotional Distress, Neurobehavioral Symptoms, and Social Functioning among Treatment Seeking Service Members with TBI and PTSD Symptoms

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Larissa L. Tate ◽  
Maegan M. Paxton Willing ◽  
Louis M. French ◽  
Wendy A. Law ◽  
Katherine W. Sullivan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Functioning ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Neurobehavioral Symptoms

The effect of mTBI and PTSD symptoms on computerized cognitive performance: Results from a sample of treatment-seeking active duty US service members

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Larissa L. Tate ◽  
Maegan M. Paxton Willing ◽  
Louis M. French ◽  
Wendy A. Law ◽  
Layne D. Bennion ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Performance Results

Neurobehavioral Symptoms in U.S. Special Operations Forces in Rehabilitation After Traumatic Brain Injury: A TBI Model Systems Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Garcia ◽  
Shannon R Miles ◽  
Tea Reljic ◽  
Marc A Silva ◽  
Kristen Dams-O’Connor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Special Operations ◽  
Comorbidity Burden ◽  
Symptom Intensity ◽  
Neurobehavioral Symptoms ◽  
Special Operations Forces

ABSTRACT Introduction Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel are at increased risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI), when compared with conventional forces (CF). Prior studies of TBI in military samples have not typically investigated SOF vs. CF as specific subgroups, despite documented differences in premorbid resilience and post-injury comorbidity burden. The aim of the current study was to compare SOF vs. CF on the presence of neurobehavioral symptoms after TBI, as well as factors influencing perception of symptom intensity. Materials and Methods This study conducted an analysis of the prospective veterans affairs (VA) TBI Model Systems Cohort, which includes service members and veterans (SM/V) who received inpatient rehabilitation for TBI at one of the five VA Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers. Of those with known SOF status (N = 342), 129 participants identified as SOF (average age = 43 years, 98% male) and 213 identified as CF (average age = 38.7 years, 91% male). SOF vs. CF were compared on demographics, injury characteristics, and psychological and behavioral health symptoms. These variables were then used to predict neurobehavioral symptom severity in univariable and multivariable analyses. Results SOF personnel reported significantly greater posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms but less alcohol and drug use than the CF. SOF also reported greater neurobehavioral symptoms. When examining those with TBIs of all severities, SOF status was not associated with neurobehavioral symptom severity, while race, mechanism of TBI, and PTSD symptoms were. When examining only those with mTBI, SOF status was associated with lower neurobehavioral symptoms, while PTSD severity, white race, and certain mechanisms of injury were associated with greater neurobehavioral symptoms. Conclusions Among those receiving inpatient treatment for TBI, SOF SM/V reported higher neurobehavioral and symptom severity. PTSD was the strongest predictor of neurobehavioral symptoms and should be considered an important treatment target in both SOF and CF with co-morbid PTSD/TBI. A proactive human performance approach towards identification and treatment of psychological and neurobehavioral symptoms is recommended for SOF.

scholarly journals A-116 Predicting Chronic Neurobehavioral Symptoms based on Acute Injury Characteristics and Symptoms in U.S. Military Service Members with and without history of TBI

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 909-909
Author(s):  
Lippa S ◽  
Bailie J ◽  
Brickell T ◽  
French L ◽  
Hungerford L ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Injury Characteristics ◽  
Military Service Members ◽  
History Of ◽  
Neurobehavioral Symptoms ◽  
Severe Tbi

Abstract Objective Recovery following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is complex. Often following mild TBI, recovery occurs within days or weeks, though this is not always the case. Following more severe TBI, some recover quickly, while many never fully recover. This study examines acute predictors of chronic neurobehavioral symptoms in U.S. military service members (Age: M = 33.9 years, SD = 10.2) without injury (n = 86), or with history of uncomplicated mild traumatic brain injury (TBI; n = 56), complicated mild, moderate, or severe TBI (mod-sev TBI; n = 43), or bodily injury (n = 25). Method Participants completed the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, Alcohol Use Disorder Checklist, Combat Exposure Scale, and TBI Quality of Life and passed symptom validity tests at 0–8 months and ≥ 2 years post-injury. Forward stepwise logistic regression included 26 potential predictors (demographics, injury characteristics, military characteristics, and self-report measures at baseline) of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems-10 Postconcussional Syndrome (PCSy) at follow-up. Results Cognitive Concerns (Exp(B) = .896, p = .001), Sleep (Exp(B) = 1.874, p < .001), Somatosensory Symptoms (Exp(B) = 1.194, p = .012), and mod-sev TBI (Exp(B) = 2.959, p = .045) significantly predicted follow-up PCSy. When baseline NSI symptoms were removed from the model, Cognitive Concerns (Exp(B) = .902, p < .001), Post-traumatic stress (Exp(B) = 1.173, p = .001), and Resilience (Exp(B) = .950, p < .031) significantly predicted PCSy. For all included measures in both models, higher symptoms at baseline predicted increased likelihood of follow-up PCSy. Both models correctly classified 81.3% of participants. Conclusion Findings suggest patients reporting psychological distress and cognitive concerns acutely should be targeted for treatment to mitigate prolonged neurobehavioral symptoms.

A Qualitative Study Exploring Yoga in Veterans with PTSD Symptoms

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin E. Cushing ◽  
Kathryn L. Braun ◽  
Susan Alden
Keyword(s):  
Health Belief ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Body Awareness ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
Active Duty Personnel ◽  
Belief Model

Abstract Quantitative studies of yoga have reported reduced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in veterans, but little is known about how and why veterans are attracted to and stick with a yoga practice. Guided by the Health Belief Model, this study examined veterans' perceptions of the benefits, barriers, and motivations to continue practicing trauma-sensitive yoga. Interviews were conducted with nine individuals, five of whom completed a 6-week trauma-sensitive yoga intervention designed for veterans and four who did not complete the intervention. Transcripts were analyzed for themes. The benefits identified by veterans were finding mental stillness, body awareness, and social connection. The barriers were perceptions that yoga is socially unacceptable, especially for men, and physically unchallenging. Understanding these benefits and barriers can help to make yoga more attractive to service members and veterans. For example, medical personnel can refer service members and veterans to yoga not only for PTSD symptoms, but also to address back pain and to reduce isolation. Access to male yoga instructors, especially those who are themselves service members or veterans, could be expanded, and classes could be integrated into physical activity routines required of active-duty personnel. Promotional materials can feature male service members and veterans with captions related to yoga as a way to increase resiliency, self-sufficiency, and physical and mental mission readiness. Findings from this study can help the Department of Defense and the Veterans Health Administration implement yoga as an adjunct or alternative treatment for veterans with PTSD symptoms.

Self-Compassion and Psychological Flexibility in a Treatment-Seeking Sample of Women Survivors of Interpersonal Violence

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 472-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin L. McLean ◽  
Devika Fiorillo ◽  
Victoria M. Follette
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factors ◽  
Women Survivors ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Intervention Study ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Pilot Intervention

Interpersonal violence is pervasive and is related to numerous negative psychological outcomes. This study examines self-compassion and psychological flexibility as potential protective factors for the range of diverse problems associated with interpersonal trauma. A community sample of 27 women (mean age = 37.74, SD = 16.16) participated in a larger pilot intervention study for psychological distress related to interpersonal violence. In this treatment-seeking sample, self-compassion was positively associated with psychological flexibility and negatively linked to higher levels of trauma-related distress, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms as well as problems related to the self and relations with others. The results suggest that self-compassion and psychological flexibility may function as protective factors in the development of problems in survivors of interpersonal violence.

Stigma and Treatment Seeking by Service Members and Veterans

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 1262-1262 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Service Members ◽  
Treatment Seeking
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