The Role of Posttraumatic Stress in Acute Postconcussive Symptoms following Blast Injury in Combat

Abstract

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) has been called the "signature" injury of recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Estimates of mTBI in deployed personnel are as high as 20%. Postconcussive symptoms (PCS), regarded as the core problem following mTBI, comprise headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, fatigue, and concentration deficits. Although PCS have traditionally been presumed to result from neurological insult, evidence points to a role of psychological factors in these symptoms. Current military evidence is limited by the reliance on retrospective reports collected after deployment through surveys. Research on mTBI in combat setting is needed to more accurately determine the nature of blast-related mTBI. This study reports the first analysis of military personnel assessed in theatre shortly after exposure to a blast.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 21, 2015
Accession Number
ADA623223

Entities

People

  • Alan L. Peterson
  • Brian Creasy
  • Gerald Grant
  • Jeffrey Barth
  • Jim Mintz
  • Monty T. Baker
  • Richard Bryant
  • Stacey Young-McCaughan
  • Steffany L. Malach
  • William Isler

Organizations

  • 59th Medical Wing

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Aerospace Medicine
  • Air Force
  • Biomedical Research
  • Blast Injuries
  • Brain Injuries
  • Department Of Defense
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Governments
  • Information Operations
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • Motor Skills
  • Mustard Agents
  • Persian Gulf Syndrome
  • United States
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.
  • Strategic Security Studies