This research topic aims to explore and highlight innovative approaches for assessing and treating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and its associated conditions among military-connected populations. Such TBIs can occur in combat theatre, during training, and off duty. TBIs often result in a wide range of physical, neurological, psychological, and behavioral disorders. The complexity in assessing and treating the aftereffects of TBI increases when they are associated with other co-morbidities, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, headaches, neuroendocrine changes, sleep disorders, fatigue, and other medically unexplained symptoms. Treating the aftereffects of TBI in a military setting, therefore, presents unique challenges due to co-occurring conditions and the impact of factors like combat stress and blast wave exposures.
Key areas of interest for this exploration include:
• Understanding the distinctive challenges in assessing and treating TBI and co-morbidities in military populations.
• The adaptation of Evidence-Based Treatments (EBTs) to address the unique needs and challenges faced by military personnel.
• Evaluating the current modes of assessment and treatment, while identifying areas that require more innovative approaches.
• Exploring the development and use of technological advancements, including AI and machine learning, in diagnosing and treating TBI, PTSD, and other related conditions.
• Examining the effectiveness of combined therapeutic strategies such as pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for TBI's comprehensive management.
• Investigating the role and adaptation of mindfulness-based therapies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Creative Arts Therapies, and other innovative approaches and their impact on patient outcomes.
• Understanding the role of placebo and nocebo effects, safety and efficacy concerns, the concept of clinical equipoise, and other bioethical dilemmas in relation to novel or innovative treatments for military related TBI.
• Exploring multimodal evaluation of outcomes by combining self-reports with neurophysiological measures such as Heart Rate Variability (HRV), accelerometers, motion sensors, as well as with neurological biomarkers, such as genomics, neuroimaging, and blood markers.
• Studying the use of intensive longitudinal methodologies including time-series designs, ecological momentary assessment, and experience sampling to track treatment processes and outcomes.
• Investigating mixed-method approaches, including how the integration of quantitative and qualitative data analysis can provide a more comprehensive understanding of TBI and related conditions.
Through this research, we aim to push the boundaries of traditional diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, seeking improved methods of dealing with TBI and its co-occurring conditions in military settings. The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of life and healthcare outcomes for military personnel worldwide. We are happy to accept submissions of original research, and review papers on this important and vast research area.
This research topic aims to explore and highlight innovative approaches for assessing and treating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and its associated conditions among military-connected populations. Such TBIs can occur in combat theatre, during training, and off duty. TBIs often result in a wide range of physical, neurological, psychological, and behavioral disorders. The complexity in assessing and treating the aftereffects of TBI increases when they are associated with other co-morbidities, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, headaches, neuroendocrine changes, sleep disorders, fatigue, and other medically unexplained symptoms. Treating the aftereffects of TBI in a military setting, therefore, presents unique challenges due to co-occurring conditions and the impact of factors like combat stress and blast wave exposures.
Key areas of interest for this exploration include:
• Understanding the distinctive challenges in assessing and treating TBI and co-morbidities in military populations.
• The adaptation of Evidence-Based Treatments (EBTs) to address the unique needs and challenges faced by military personnel.
• Evaluating the current modes of assessment and treatment, while identifying areas that require more innovative approaches.
• Exploring the development and use of technological advancements, including AI and machine learning, in diagnosing and treating TBI, PTSD, and other related conditions.
• Examining the effectiveness of combined therapeutic strategies such as pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for TBI's comprehensive management.
• Investigating the role and adaptation of mindfulness-based therapies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Creative Arts Therapies, and other innovative approaches and their impact on patient outcomes.
• Understanding the role of placebo and nocebo effects, safety and efficacy concerns, the concept of clinical equipoise, and other bioethical dilemmas in relation to novel or innovative treatments for military related TBI.
• Exploring multimodal evaluation of outcomes by combining self-reports with neurophysiological measures such as Heart Rate Variability (HRV), accelerometers, motion sensors, as well as with neurological biomarkers, such as genomics, neuroimaging, and blood markers.
• Studying the use of intensive longitudinal methodologies including time-series designs, ecological momentary assessment, and experience sampling to track treatment processes and outcomes.
• Investigating mixed-method approaches, including how the integration of quantitative and qualitative data analysis can provide a more comprehensive understanding of TBI and related conditions.
Through this research, we aim to push the boundaries of traditional diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, seeking improved methods of dealing with TBI and its co-occurring conditions in military settings. The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of life and healthcare outcomes for military personnel worldwide. We are happy to accept submissions of original research, and review papers on this important and vast research area.