Personal Injury Law

What Early Neuropsychological Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury Suggested

By Bruce Stern

Research at the University of Granada has shown that early neuropsychological treatment for traumatic brain injuries significantly reduces cognitive, emotional and behavioral aftereffects of traumatic brain injury.
 
We have known for quite some time that one of the sequels of traumatic brain injury is the emotional and behavioral difficulties that survivors experience. These emotional and behavioral components are significant risk factors for poor outcome.
 
A recent study carried out by Alfonso Caracuel Romero of the Department of Personality and Psychological Evaluation and Treatment at the University of Granada and conducted by Professors Miguel Perez Garcia and Antonio Verdejo Garcia proves that the longer the treatment is delayed, the more serious are the emotional alterations directly caused by the trauma or a result of changes in the patient's life will be.
 
In carrying out this study, the researchers took an initial sample of seven patients with acquired traumatic brain injury and compared them with a control group patients that did not receive any neuropsychological treatment. Then, 18 patients and their families were treated with a neuropsychological treatment. As a result of the intervention, patients improved their general cognitive performance and their emotional state activity level as well as their ability to regulate their social behavior. However, within this group, those receiving earlier neuropsychological assistance improved more significantly in the long term then the patients that received neuropsychological treatment when more than six months has passed since the trauma.
 
This research provides strong evidence to compel insurance companies to certify neuropsychological treatment immediately after trauma.

Full post as published by Traumatic Brain Injury Law Blog on April 01, 2011 (boomark / email).