This Position Statement is a summary of the literature and learning regarding current issues raised by the occurrence, treatment, and study of traumatic brain injury in military service members and veterans. The Report has been approved by the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN), Divisions 40 (Neuropsychology) and 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA), and the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN), with the goal of providing information of relevance on an important public policy matter within their respective areas of expertise. The Report is not intended to establish guidelines or standards for the professional practice of psychology, nor has it been adopted as official policy by the American Psychological Association or any other division or subunit of APA.
To determine if individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) perform differently on neuropsychological measures than individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) having no loss of consciousness. Design and Participants: Data were collected prospectively on 33 matched pairs of individuals with SCI or MTBI. Independent t tests were performed to identify differences between the SCI and MTBI groups. Results: Although those with SCI generally outperformed individuals with MTBI, no meaningful between-groups differences were noted on 5 of the 10 neuropsychological tests administered. Greater than 40% of the SCI patients were identified as having impairments in processing speed, motor speed, and verbal learning. Conclusions: Treatment planning after SCI should include procedures to identify cognitive deficits that may complicate adjustment to disability and delay acquisition of new skills.
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