Strengthening the quality of longitudinal research into cognitive-communication recovery after traumatic brain injury: A systematic review

Abstract

There is currently scarce evidence regarding cognitive-communication recovery and prognosis. People with TBI may recover or maintain pre-morbid cognitive-communication skills during the early rehabilitation stage. Further research detailing the recovery trajectory with a view to evaluating predictive factors is strongly indicated. Guidelines for future research are provided.

Treatment of late sequelae after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer

“…Small, single institution case series report functional gains (better diet or less frequent aspiration) but persistent physiologic dysphagia on videofluoroscopy that can be interpreted at helping compensation rather than reversing dysphagia [120–123]. These results, together with perceived non-uniformity in usual dysphagia therapy practices, call for the development and refinement of novel dysphagia interventions tailored to unique pathophysiology in HNC patients on one hand and to the development of evidence-based algorithms for personalized HNC dysphagia treatment guidelines [124–126]. …”

“If I knew what I was doing on Twitter then I would use it more”: Twitter experiences and networks of people with traumatic brain injury (TBI)

“…The finding that people with TBI use Twitter for connecting with others and to escape feelings of isolation is important, as people with TBI have significant reduction in social relationships after their injury (Elbourn et al, 2017), and feelings of loneliness have been linked to negative changes in executive function, sleep, and psychological and physical well-being (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2014). Hence, their use of Twitter could be encouraged, given appropriate supports to use are provided.…”

“…The use of Twitter by adults with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is of high relevance in the field of TBI rehabilitation, considering the high prevalence of TBI in young adults (Nguyen et al, 2016), the extensive use of Twitter by young adults in general for communication (Omnicore, 2019), and the devastating impacts of TBI on social communication (Elbourn, Togher, Kenny, & Power, 2017). TBI is most frequently associated with external trauma to the head resulting from traffic sporting accidents, trauma-related violence, and falls (Johnson & Griswold, 2017).…”

“…Family, friends, and the general public may not recognise or understand changes in cognition and behaviours (Schellinger, 2015) resulting in uncomfortable social interactions, leading to the injured person developing a negative self-image and withdrawing socially (Douglas, 2017). Consequences of cognitive-communication disability contribute to long-term difficulties in inter-personal relationships, returning to work, and social participation within the community (Elbourn et al, 2017). Some people with cognitive-communication disability following TBI present as overtalkative and tangential in their conversations, having an "excessive" communication style, while others have difficulty engaging in conversations and are limited in their expressive language output, having an "impoverished" communication style (Tate, 1999).…”

Introducing the model of cognitive-communication competence: A model to guide evidence-based communication interventions after brain injury

“…Yet speech-language pathologists cite significant barriers to implementation of evidence guidelines such as lack of time (92.3%), lack of resources (81.7%), or lack of interest from others (58.2%) (63). The analysis, interpretation, and application of evidence relevant to communication interventions after ABI are increasingly onerous, requiring clinicians to synthesize over 8000 articles with more than 49 key search terms, and more than 70 clinical practice recommendations (22)(23)(24)64,65). Finally, use of outcome measures that do not reflect the full range of communication functioning, or the complex demands of real-world communication activities or participation lead to under-reporting of communication problems, untimely discharge, and false indications of resolution of problems (32,52).…”