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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.