Journal of neurotrauma
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Journal of neurotrauma · Feb 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialImproving Concussion Reporting across National College Athletic Association Divisions Using a Theory-Based, Data-Driven, Multimedia Concussion Education Intervention.
Although a base level of knowledge is needed to recognize a concussion, knowledge-focused concussion educational materials ignore multifaceted barriers to concussion reporting. We compared student-athlete concussion reporting intentions and behaviors prior to and 1 year after exposure to an intervention or control treatment. We randomly assigned 891 collegiate student-athletes from three universities (Divisions I, II, III) to either the control group (National College Athletic Association [NCAA] Concussion Fact Sheet) or intervention group (theory-based, data-driven, multimedia, simulated concussion reporting module). ⋯ Relative to the control group, the intervention group had significantly greater odds of responding that the concussion education "greatly improved" rather than "did not improve" their knowledge (odds ratio [OR]: 2.49, 95% CI:1.25,4.96), attitudes (OR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.23,4.03), self-efficacy (OR: 1.95,95% CI: 1.05,3.60), and intentions (OR: 1.86,95% CI: 1.03,3.35). The intervention was more effective at targeting elements of the overall sport culture in a way that substantively improved concussion reporting. We recommend use of this intervention in combination with other evidence-based educational materials.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Feb 2020
Subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral perfusion are associated with brain volume decrease in a cohort of predominantly mild traumatic brain injury patients.
Biomarkers are needed to identify traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients at risk for accelerated brain volume loss and its associated functional impairment. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been shown to affect cerebral volume and perfusion, possibly by induction of inflammation and vasospasm. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of SAH due to trauma on cerebral perfusion and brain volume. ⋯ Future studies should determine whether the findings apply to TBI patients with worse clinical status on admission. SAH predicts brain volume decrease independent of brain perfusion. This indicates the adverse effects of SAH extend beyond vasoconstriction, and that hypoperfusion also occurs separately from SAH.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Feb 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialMusic Therapy Enhances Executive Functions and Prefrontal Structural Neuroplasticity after Traumatic Brain Injury: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes lifelong cognitive deficits, particularly impairments of executive functioning (EF). Musical training and music-based rehabilitation have been shown to enhance cognitive functioning and neuroplasticity, but the potential rehabilitative effects of music in TBI are still largely unknown. The aim of the present crossover randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to determine the clinical efficacy of music therapy on cognitive functioning in TBI and to explore its neural basis. ⋯ Results showed that general EF (as indicated by the Frontal Assessment Battery [FAB]) and set shifting improved more in the AB group than in the BA group over the first 3-month period and the effect on general EF was maintained in the 6-month follow-up. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis of the structural MRI data indicated that gray matter volume (GMV) in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) increased significantly in both groups during the intervention versus control period, which also correlated with cognitive improvement in set shifting. These findings suggest that neurological music therapy enhances EF and induces fine-grained neuroanatomical changes in prefrontal areas.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Feb 2020
Comparative StudyComparison of Acute Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Conventional Magnetic Resonance Parameter in Predicting Long-Term Outcome Following Blunt Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.
This prospective longitudinal study compares the ability of conventional and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters made at the cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) site to predict long-term neurological and functional outcomes. Twenty patients with CSCI, with follow-up at 6 or 12 months, and 15 control volunteers were included. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DTI parameters were measured on admission and follow-up studies. ⋯ The regression model identified NHC as the best predictor of the ability to walk (sensitivity = 88.9%; specificity = 100%; positive predictive value = 100%; negative predictive value = 91%; p < 0.0001) and lesion length on follow-up MRI as the best predictor of ER-ULMS (β coefficient = 0.12, standard error [SE] = 0.07; R2 = 0.64; p = 0.0002). Finally, NHC (β coefficient = 24.2, SE = 3.7; p < 0.0001) and lesion length on initial MRI (β coefficient = 0.78, SE = 0.2; p = 0.002) were the best predictors of ISNCSCI-TMS (R2 = 0.83; p < 0.0001). Our study demonstrates HC and follow-up lesion length are potential neuroimaging biomarkers in predicting long-term neurological and functional outcome following blunt CSCI.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Feb 2020
Efficacy of Ultra-Early (<12 hours), Early (12-24 hours), and Late (>24-138.5 hours) Surgery with MRI-Confirmed Decompression in AIS grades A, B, and C Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.
In cervical traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI), the therapeutic effect of timing of surgery on neurological recovery remains uncertain. Additionally, the relationship between extent of decompression, imaging biomarker evidence of injury severity, and outcome is incompletely understood. We investigated the effect of timing of decompression on long-term neurological outcome in patients with complete spinal cord decompression confirmed on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ⋯ AIS grade improvement occurred in 65.6%, 60%, and 80% of patients who underwent decompression ultra-early, early, and late, respectively (p = 0.424). Multiple regression analysis revealed that IMLL was the only significant variable predictive of AIS grade conversion to a better grade (odds ratio, 0.908; confidence interval [CI], 0.862-0.957; p 0.001). We conclude that in patients with post-operative MRI confirmation of complete decompression following cervical TSCI, pre-operative IMLL, not the timing of surgery, determines long-term neurological outcome.