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Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence

Welcome to the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence. Here, you'll find TBI clinical tools, educational resources, and research information.

Provider Resources Patient Resources TBI Educators Research 

TBI Numbers TBICoE Podcasts A Head for the Future

Vision

Principal organization to lead, translate, and advance brain health.

Mission

TBICoE unifies a system of TBI health care, reliably advancing the science for the warfighter and ready to meet future brain health challenges

More About Our Mission

TBICoE Annual Report

The 2022 TBICoE Annual Report provides an overview of accomplishments and activities in calendar year 2022.

Download the Report

TBI and the Military

Traumatic brain injury is a significant health issue which affects service members and veterans during times of both peace and war. The high rate of TBI and blast-related concussion events resulting from current combat operations directly impacts the health and safety of individual service members and subsequently the level of unit readiness and troop retention. The impacts of TBI are felt within each branch of the service.

TBI and Service Members

TBI and Medical Providers

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions about TBICoE

The Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence FAQs provides answers to questions we are regularly asked about the organization and its mission. 

Q1:

What is the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence?

A:

TBICoE is a congressionally mandated collaboration of the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to promote state-of-the-science care from point-of-injury to reintegration for service members, veterans, and their families to prevent and mitigate consequences of mild to severe traumatic brain injury.

Q2:

Why does DVBIC now prefer TBICoE?

A:

The preferred name Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence (TBICoE) aligns with the other centers of excellence within the Defense Health Agency’s Research and Development Directorate, under which the TBICoE operates. This name reflects the mission of the TBICoE, and will make for easy identification with internal and external stakeholders in identifying the organization and its mission.

Q3:

Will this name change adjust the mission or functions of TBICoE?

A:

No. TBICoE will continue to oversee and conduct TBI clinically relevant research addressing gaps in TBI knowledge for our service members and veterans who have sustained a TBI. Additionally, TBICoE continues to provide training and materials to military medical personnel for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of TBIs. TBICoE develops, provides and distributes educational materials for both military and civilian providers, families, service members and veterans. Gathering and analyzing data mandated by Congress and the Department of Defense for reports will also continue.

Q4:

Where is TBICoE located?

A:

Our headquarters is located in the Washington, D.C. metro area. TBICoE supports a multi-center network of military treatment facilities and Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers nationwide and in Germany. At these facilities, regional education coordinators have resources and conduct education for medical providers, service members, veterans and their families. TBICoE conducts and supports traumatic brain injury clinical investigations at these collaborator facilities as part of the TBICoE research program.

Q5:

How do I find TBICoE resources?

A:

For providers, visit the Provider Resources section of the TBICoE webpages. There, medical personnel can find TBI clinical recommendations, support tools and education materials. Visit the TBICoE Research page and download the latest TBI Hot Topics Bulletin for the latest trends in TBI research.

The Patient and Family Resources section of TBICoE has fact sheets, patient guides for recovery, and family and caregiver guides.

TBICoE materials are available by download only. We will continue to develop and update TBI clinical and educational products, so bookmark the pages and check back often or sign up for the TBI Providers Brief or TBI Resources Updates email news to stay informed.

Q6:

Will TBICoE continue to collaborate with the VA on TBI issues?

A:

Yes, TBICoE will continue its 28-year historical relationship with the VA. In fact, TBICoE has ongoing clinical research or educational activities that are coordinated through the VA and TBICoE.

Q7:

Does TBICoE or its network personnel provide medical care?

A:

No, TBICoE does not provide medical care or referrals, but we do offer resources to help patients, their families and caregivers learn more about TBI together with their medical provider. Visit the Patient and Family Resources page to find fact sheets and other TBI patient and caregiver guides. TBICoE's outreach initiative, A Head for the Future is a resource to learn how to prevent, recognize and recover from a brain injury, and hear stories from TBI Champions.

Q8:

How do I contact TBICoE?

A:

If you have a question or concern about TBICoE or any of the products, please email us!

Q9:

What if I need immediate TBI medical help, advice, or information?

A:

You can find support 24/7 through the websites and numbers listed below.

National Resource Directory

The national resource directory connects wounded warriors, service members, veterans and their families with services and resources at the national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration.

Military/Veterans Crisis Line

Dial 988, and press 1 or Text 838255

Crisis Line, text-messaging service, and online chat provide free, confidential support for all service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, and all veterans, even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care.

Military OneSource

800-342-9647

Help for active duty military and their dependents, including 12 free non-medical counseling appointments.

VA's Polytrauma/TBI System of Care

VA's Polytrauma System of Care provides a full range of medical and rehabilitation services for all enrolled veterans and for service members covered by TRICARE authorization, who have sustained polytrauma, TBI or other acquired brain injury. Click on this link for admissions and referrals.

Department of Veterans Affairs Customer Service Hotlines

Health Care: 877-222-8387

Benefits: 800-827-1000

White House VA Hotline

Open 24-hours a day, 365 days a year

855-948-2311

VA's first non-clinical, non-emergency, around-the-clock call center. It provides Veterans a supplemental option to report issues if they are not being addressed through VA's normal customer service channels. Hotline agents answer inquiries, provide directory assistance, document concerns about VA care, benefits and services, and expedite the referral and resolution of those concerns.

Vet Centers

Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Readjustment counseling is free of charge and anonymous, and is offered to help make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military, including TBI. Does not require enrollment in VA health care.

Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy

The complexity of the brain and brain injuries has led to questions about the nature of cognitive rehabilitation therapy and its availability to service members who have sustained TBIs.

View questions and answers about cognitive rehabilitation therapy.

Q1:

Does DOD/TRICARE cover CRT?

A:

On April 14, 2010, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) directed the implementation of a broad-based DOD pilot program intended to conform to the proceedings, and resulting guidance document, of the Consensus Conference on Cognitive Rehabilitation for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury held in April 2009. This guidance document outlined a standardized and measurable process for the provision of CRT services. This policy mandated the implementation of the guidance at 13 military treatment facilities (MTF’s).

In 2010, DOD provided over 45,000 hours of care involving CRT to service members and over 32,000 hours to family members of active duty members and retirees. These treatments were delivered by a wide array of health professionals, including psychologists; occupational, speech and physical therapists; and physicians.

Q2:

Who may benefit most from CRT?

A:

Patients who have experienced moderate to severe TBI and who suffer from recurring symptoms such as attention and memory deficits, problems with executive functioning and social pragmatics deficits are most likely to benefit from CRT. In cases of mild TBI, nearly 90 percent recover with no residual problems and only those with persistent symptoms need to be evaluated and treated.

Q3:

What is CBT?

A:

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a common type of mental health counseling consisting of a range of therapies designed to treat conditions like anxiety or depression. CBT is meant to help patients become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking and to view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way. CBT can be an effective tool to help anyone learn how to better manage stressful situation.

Q4:

What is the difference between CRT and CBT?

A:

Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy is a collection of treatment strategies designed to address problems with memory, attention, perception, learning, planning and judgment brought about by brain injury, neurological disorders and other illnesses. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a common type of mental health counseling to help a patient become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking.

Q5:

Why is it difficult to determine how effective CRTs can be; there seems to be great disparity of opinion on the subject?

A:

Limited data on the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation programs are available, and this is in part due to the heterogeneity of the subjects, interventions and outcomes studied. Lack of rigorous methodology (i.e., randomized controlled trials) in efficacy studies has also contributed to the disparity in opinion on the effectiveness of CRT.

Q6:

Are CRTs effective or ever used for injuries that did not involve head injuries? For example, is CRT effective for psychological disorders?

A:

The benefit of CRT is not limited to patients with head injuries. Patients with psychological disorders that have impairments in attention, memory, socialization, and reasoning and processing skills can also benefit from CRT.

Q7:

Are there "specialists" in CRTs, or do most doctors understand their uses?

A:

Neuropsychologists specialize in neuropsychological cognitive testing that is used to determine if a patient will benefit from cognitive rehabilitation. They are also the primary providers who develop the individualized cognitive rehabilitation plan for patients. However, cognitive rehabilitation may be performed by an occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech/language pathologist, neuropsychologist, or a physician.

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Dizziness and Visual Problems After Concussion

Infographic
5/22/2023
Graphic containing general information on dizziness and vision  problems after a traumatic brain injury. Visit health.mil/TBIFactSheets and download related fact sheets for information.

More than 80% of all concussions—also known as mild traumatic brain injury—in the military are considered mild. Dizziness and visual problems are among the most common symptoms after concussion and often resolve within days or weeks

Brain Injury Awareness Month: Infographic

Infographic
2/7/2023
Brian Injury Awareness month infographic

Even a mild traumatic brain injury can impact mission readiness and the ability to deploy. #BeABrainWarrior by understanding the signs and symptoms of TBI and knowing when to seek care. TBI is treatable & recovery is possible. https://health.mil/BIAMonth #BIAMonth

Dizziness and Visual Problems After Concussion

Infographic
1/4/2022
Graphic containing general information on dizziness and vision  problems after a traumatic brain injury. Visit health.mil/TBIFactSheets and download related fact sheets for information.

More than 80% of all concussions—also known as a mild traumatic brain injury— in the military are considered mild. Dizziness and visual problems are among the most common symptoms after concussion and often resolve within days or weeks. This infographic reviews common signs and symptoms to look out for.

Returning to Duty After Concussion

Infographic
2/24/2021
What's the best way to recover from a concussion? Returning to duty too soon after a concussion can lead to prolonged symptoms, decreased readiness, poor marksmanship, accidents and falls, and increased risk of more concussions. Progressively increasing activity in a step-wise manner can help you resolve your symptoms and return to duty safely. Ask your primary health care provider about TBICoE's Progressive Return to Activity to help you return to duty as quickly and safely as possible. Visit health.mil/TBICoE.

This TBICoE infographic gives an overview of the risks of returning to duty too soon after a concussion and explains how a progressive increase in activity can help get you back to duty safely. Returning to duty too soon after concussion can lead to prolonged symptoms, poor marksmanship, decreased readiness, accidents and falls, and increased risk of more concussions.

Sleep After Concussion

Infographic
2/18/2021
Sleep After Concussion. Service members with TBI report 3 times more sleep problems. TBIs can happen anywhere, only 16.9 percent of TBIs happen while deployed. Visit health.mil/TBIFactSheets to learn more about sleep problems and how to improve them

"Sleep After Concussion" is intended for patients and caregivers of those who have sustained a TBI. The infographic reviews general information of sleep-related concerns and points towards additional educational resources.

Sleep After mTBI

Infographic
11/19/2020
Sleep After mTBI

"Sleep After mTBI" is intended for providers to show the importance of screening and treating service members affected by sleep issues following mTBI.

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Last Updated: April 24, 2023
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