Title : Chronic traumatic brain injury: Changes, challenges and solutions
Abstract:
People with traumatic brain injury (TBI) may have chronic cognitive, behavioral, emotional, social, vocational, physical, and medical challenges. Attention, cognitive speed, verbal learning are commonly impaired. Susceptibility to dementia is controversial. Contractures and spasticity can be problems for those with motor deficits. Pain problems, particularly headaches, are common. Psychological difficulties, including depression, anxiety, and substance use, are common. Friendships suffer, and support networks are often small. Social functioning, including vocational success, is more closely associated with psychological status than with cognitive abilities. Employment outcomes vary, and depend to some degree on resources available. Some, especially the elderly, will have significant functional decline over time, while others will continue to make gains. Those who had mild TBI often have long-term functional deficits. Life expectancy is lower for many people with TBI. Mortality related to pneumonia, seizures, and suicide are significantly higher among people with TBI. Obesity and cardiovascular disease are more common than in the general population. Cognitive, physical, functional, and medical problems can be addressed through medical, rehabilitation, and lifestyle interventions. Diet, exercise, socialization, and challenging mental activity can have a positive effect on cognitive status. The Mediterranean, MIND, and similar diets can help to preserve cognitive status. Both aerobic and resistance exercises may prevent cognitive decline and improve physical and cardiorespiratory status. Avoidance of medications that impair cognition is important. Cognitive deficits, behavioral challenges, and functional limitations can be addressed with rehabilitation programs, even years after injury, though lengthy treatment programs may be needed. Residential rehabilitation programs often result in improvement.
Audience TakeAway:
- People with TBI may have chronic cognitive, behavioral, emotional, social, vocational, physical, and medical challenges.
- Although some improve, a significant percentage of people with TBI will decline over time, especially as they age.
- Mortality related to pneumonia, seizures, and suicide are significantly higher among people with TBI.
- Obesity and cardiovascular disease are more common than in the general population.
- Cognitive, physical, functional, and medical problems can be addressed through medical, rehabilitation, and lifestyle interventions.
Explain how the audience will be able to use what they learn: - Clinicians will become more aware of the consequences of chronic TBI and will therefore be able to intervene to improve the patients’ status as needed.
How will this help the audience in their job: - They can prescribe and implement interventions, direct people with chronic TBI to rehabilitation programs, and recommend lifestyle modifications.
Is this research that other faculty could use to expand their research or teaching: - Researchers will be more aware of the issues that need further research. They can include what they have learned in their own teaching programs and presentations.
Does this provide a practical solution to a problem that could simplify or make a designer’s job more efficient:
- Rehabilitation programs can be designed that incorporate medical, lifestyle, physical, behavioral, emotional, social, and vocational interventions.Will it improve the accuracy of a design, or provide new information to assist in a design problem
- Rehabilitation programs can be designed to address the problems that are specific to chronic TBI.
Other Benefits: - Government agencies, insurance companies, and other payers can better understand the needs of those with chronic TBI.
