Traumatic brain injury (TBI) may affect 10 million people worldwide. It is considered the "signature wound" of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. These injuries result from a bump or blow to the head, or from external forces that cause the brain to move within the head, such as whiplash or exposure to blasts. TBI can cause an array of physical and mental health concerns and is a growing problem, particularly among soldiers and veterans because of repeated exposure to violent environments. One form of treatment for TBI is cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT), a patient-specific, goal-oriented approach to help patients increase their ability to process and interpret information. The Department of Defense asked the IOM to conduct a study to determine the effectiveness of CRT for treatment of TBI.

Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury: A Guide for Speech-Language Pathologists is designed for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) treating adults with cognitive-communicative impairments following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Cognitive impairments are one of the cardinal features of TBI, affecting communication and activities of daily living. This book integrates scientific information into a user friendly and practical application tool for practicing SLPs and students in training to become SLPs. Section I contains chapters that serve as background for understanding the treatment of TBI. Included are chapters addressing mechanisms of injury, neuropathology, recovery patterns, and applicable classification and outcome measures following TBI. An overview of cognitive-communicative impairments is also included, as are sections devoted to common compounding and concomitant conditions that impact individuals with TBI and their rehabilitation. Section I also contains chapters describing the rehabilitation process following TBI from the broader landscape of interdisciplinary and patient-centered rehabilitation and specific to cognitive rehabilitation treatment (CRT) for adults with TBI. Section II contains chapters devoted to describing CRT in the areas of attention and information processing speed impairments, memory, executive function and awareness, and social communication. Chapters in section II focus on treatment approaches that have an established base, described in a clinically useable format. Each chapter includes a summary of the research evidence, recommended candidates, and background on a specific treatment approach. They also include a section devoted to 'Treatment in Action,' designed to explain applicable steps, procedures, and needed materials for implementation of a specific approach. Charts, figures, tables, and appendices are also included to facilitate the use of a specific approach. Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury can serve as a supplemental textbook for graduate courses on neurologic communication disorders. It is also a valuable resource for students during clinical practicum with adults with TBI. This book is also a professional resource that summarizes information in a way that is applicable to practicing SLPs who work with adults with TBI and their families.

Evolved from working with head injured groups at Headway and those attempting to return to work, this is a rich, comprehensive and photocopiable workbook for professionals, carers and clients. It contains over 140 cognitive rehabilitation exercises - tailored for memory, thinking skills, executive functions, awareness and insight, and emotional adjustment. It provides more than 40 information sheets on key problem areas, with questions for the reader, designed to educate and stimulate thinking and discussion. It is suitable for both individuals and groups. It includes questionnaires for clients to complete with or without help and quizzes to evaluate and encourage information retention. Primarily for professionals where exercises or handout sheets can be photocopied and used therapeutically, The Brain Injury Workbook can also be used by carers or family members to provide stimulating activities for a head-injured person. In addition, the head-injured person themselves can work through the book on their own.

Covering the full spectrum of rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury, this practical reference by Drs. Blessen C. Eapen and David X. Cifu presents best practices and considerations for numerous patient populations and their unique needs. In an easy-to-read, concise format, it covers the key information you need to guide your treatment plans and help patients relearn critical life skills and regain their independence. - Covers neuroimaging, neurosurgical and critical care management, management of associated complications after TBI, pharmacotherapy, pain management, sports concussion, assistive technologies, and preparing patients for community reintegration. - Discusses special populations, including pediatric, geriatric, and military and veteran patients. - Consolidates today's available information and guidance in this challenging and diverse area into one convenient resource.

A physician with thirty-five years of experience treating people with brain injuries shares the latest research on concussions and best practices for care. The explosion of attention to sports concussions has many of us thinking about the addled brains of our football and hockey heroes. But concussions happen to everyone, not just elite athletes. Children fall from high chairs, drivers and cyclists get into accidents, and workers encounter unexpected obstacles on the job. Concussions are prevalent, occurring even during everyday activities. In fact, in less time than it takes to read this sentence, three Americans will experience a concussion. The global statistics are no less staggering. Shaken Brain offers expert advice and urgently needed answers. Elizabeth Sandel, MD, is a board-certified physician who has spent more than three decades treating patients with traumatic brain injuries, training clinicians, and conducting research. Here she explains the scientific evidence for what happens to the brain and body after a concussion. And she shares stories from a diverse group of patients, educating readers on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Few people understand that what they do in the aftermath of their injury will make a dramatic difference to their future well-being; patient experiences testify to the best practices for concussion sufferers and their caregivers. Dr. Sandel also shows how to evaluate risks before participating in activities and how to use proven safety strategies to mitigate these risks. Today concussions aren’t just injuries—they’re big news. And, like anything in the news, they’re the subject of much misinformation. Shaken Brain is the resource patients and their families, friends, and caregivers need to understand how concussions occur, what to expect from healthcare providers, and what the long-term consequences may be.

Translating Evidence-Based Recommendations into Practice is a significant contribution to the field of brain injury rehabilitation. Never before have research outcomes been so accessible for use in everyday clinical practice. The Manual -- all 150 pages, including clinical forms -- is a practical guide for the implementation of evidence-based interventions for impairments of executive functions, memory, attention, hemispatial neglect, and social communication.

"In this book, some of the leading clinicians and cognitive neuroscientists consider the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation. They situate the issues within an overall context that considers the different types and levels of diagnosis and assessment, the adequacy of underlying cognitive theory for rehabilitation, and more importantly, the clinical effectiveness of current treatments to improve functional recovery. By employing an evidence-based approach that critically evaluates the published literature, the book provides for a better understanding of the strengths and limitations of the cognitive approach and hopefully a more realistic expectation of its outcome for patients with neurological deficits." "The book will serve as a valuable source for a wide spectrum of professionals who deal with the neuropsychological and neurological effects of brain damage."--BOOK JACKET.