The Burden On the Caregiver After Traumatic Brain Injury
After discharge from the hospital or rehabilitation center, a person with traumatic brain injury (TBI) usually returns home. In most cases, one family member becomes solely responsible for the patient, creating a tremendous burden on that family member. A recent study described the most common profile of the caregivers for TBI patients. Although the study
SB 253 Language
A health care insurance plan may not deny coverage for medical or rehabilitation treatment for an acquired brain injury (ABI) at a licensed facility at which appropriate services may be provided, including, but not limited to, a hospital; an acute rehabilitation hospital; a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH); a congregate living health facility; an adult
Brain Injury Association of California Sponsors SB 253
The Brain Injury Association of California (BIACAL) is pleased to sponsor Senate Bill 253, The Brain Injury Access To Treatment Act. SB 253 will enable access to treatment for acquired brain injury across an established continuum of licensed treatment settings specifically designed to provide the most clinically effective and cost efficient specialized treatment for acquired
Defining Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS)
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) makes up approximately 80% of all TBI cases. It is associated with a range of physical, mood, and cognitive symptoms such as headaches, depression, and memory problems. While these symptoms usually dissipate within three months after injury, some patients experience long-term symptoms. In clinical and research settings, the long-term symptoms
Is Deception an Ethical Option to Promote Compliance for TBI Patients?
A common problem of more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI) is a complete denial of symptoms. This can significantly complicate treatment, as people with a TBI may be unwilling to accept therapies or interventions for problems they do not believe they have. A recent case study described a TBI patient who exhibited combativeness, significant cognitive
Unnecessary Spinal Surgery Is Costly And May Put Some Patients At Risk
Spinal surgery is considered unnecessary if there is pain, but no radiological abnormalities or neurologic deficits. In a year-long study by a senior neurosurgeon, 47 out of 274 spinal surgeries had been considered unnecessary, but were completed anyway. These patients complained of pain in either the cervical or lumbar areas, but had no other abnormal
The Risk Of Multiple Sclerosis Is Increased After Traumatic Brain Injury
In a large study of more than 72,000 traumatic brain injury patients and more than 200,000 controls, over a period of six years, researchers have recently reported an increased risk of multiple sclerosis after traumatic brain injury. Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system, in which the myelin sheath (white matter) is
Low Level Laser Light Therapy For Traumatic Brain And Spinal Cord Injuries
Laser therapy has been long known to heal wounds, alleviate pain, and reduce inflammation. Low level light therapy (LLLT) is considered to be a “cold” type of laser therapy because it does not emit enough power to produce significant heat—making it safe for use in most people. More recent research has begun to narrow the
Clinical Trials Of Progesterone For Traumatic Brain Injury Moving Forward
Progesterone is a hormone that has been shown to have a rapid, neuroprotective effect after TBI. This effect has been strong during pre-clinical, phase I, and phase II trials, and is now in the process of both a national and an international phase III clinical trial, bringing it closer to FDA approval for clinical use.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: Not Just Football Players, But Soldiers Too.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative syndrome that can develop from repeated impacts to the brain. CTE has been studied in sports such as football and boxing, where athletes develop a long-term pattern of symptoms that are not unlike those of Alzheimer’s syndrome. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has become a common diagnosis in our
