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Traumatic Brain Injury Resources for Medical Providers

TBICoE develops practical, easy-to-use clinical recommendations and tools to support military and civilian health care providers in assessing and treating service members and veterans who have sustained a TBI. Providers can access clinically relevant information and resources that address common symptoms associated with mild TBI, such as headache, sleep disturbances, and vision problems. Most clinical recommendations have related patient resources to help educate patients through recovery. Check out the "TBI Resources for Service Members, Patients, Families, and Caregivers" page.

Interested in learning more about the potential effects of low-level blast exposure? Discover which occupations and heavy weapon systems are associated with increased risk of LLB exposure and learn how to best document, manage, and care for your patients—to optimize warfighter brain health.

TBI educators, are available to provide training on our clinical recommendations and tools. Visit the "Education and Training Events" page for details or email the team to schedule specific trainings. Supplemental "Provider Education" materials are also available.

Acute Concussion Care Pathway

In order to standardize acute concussion assessment and care across the MHS, DHA established the Acute Concussion Care Pathway as part of the FY21 Quadruple Aim Performance Plan.

The goal of the ACC Pathway is to improve recovery times and outcomes by utilizing a multi-modal assessment tool at the time of injury—the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation 2—and to ensure timely access to repeat evaluations with personalized treatment protocols in alignment with a progressive return to activity process.

Supporting the goal of the ACC Pathway, the DHA Procedural Instruction 6490.04, titled “Required Clinical Tools and Procedures for Assessment and Clinical Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion in Non-Deployed Setting,” establishes the required clinical tools and procedures for management of mild TBI, or concussion, in a non-deployed setting. Specifically, the use of the MACE 2 and a PRA framework for the assessment, management, and rehabilitation of all patients with a mild TBI.

The ACC Pathway—a standardized assessment and treatment plan for acute concussion, mandates:

  1. Use of the MACE 2 for acute assessment at the initial appointment 
  2. Follow-up within 72 hours after diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury
  3. Completion of a progressive return to activity process prior to return to full duty

This infographic and educational video focus on standardizing the nomenclature for the ACC Pathway, delineating how each element intertwines to meet the objective of improving concussion outcomes across the MHS. 

What is the Acute Concussion Care Pathway? The Acute Concussion Care Pathway is one of the DHA Director’s Quadruple Aim Performance Plan projects. The intent is to equip providers with state-of-the-science tools to standardize concussion assessment and care across the MHS. It is supported by the DHA Procedural Instruction 6490.04 which establishes the infrastructure to ensure patients achieve optimal concussion clinical outcomes.  What is the Acute Concussion Care Pathway?

Download the ACC Pathway Infographic

TBICoE offers a quarterly "Acute Concussion Care Pathway: MACE 2 & PRA" virtual training. Attendees may earn two CEUs through the Defense Health Agency Continuing Education Program Office.

The DOD published the DODI 6490.11, "DOD Policy Guidance for Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion in the Deployed Setting" establishing policy, assigning responsibilities, and providing procedures on the management of mild TBI in the deployed setting.

TBICoE's MACE 2, PRA clinical recommendation, Recurrent Concussion Evaluation, and ICD-10 Coding Guidance for TBI support the ACC Pathway, the DHA-PI 6490.04, and the DODI 6490.11.

 

Military Acute Concussion Evaluation, Version 2

The 2018 MACE 2 is an acute assessment tool for all medically trained personnel who treat service members involved in a potentially concussive event. The clinical tool incorporates current state-of-the-science traumatic brain injury information, including vestibular-ocular-motor screening.

Download the MACE 2 and supporting materials.

 

Progressive Return to Activity

The 2021 Progressive Return to Activity: Primary Care for Acute Concussion Management clinical recommendation is an evidence-based return to activity protocol for primary care managers and concussion/TBI clinic providers.

Download the Progressive Return to Activity: Primary Care for Acute Concussion Management clinical recommendation and Patient and Leadership Guide.

Recurrent Concussion Evaluation

The Recurrent Concussion Evaluation is designed to guide providers in the management of patients with a history of three or more documented concussions within a 12-month span.

Clinical Recommendations and Support Tools for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

TBICoE optimizes clinical care by combining evidence from medical literature, health care research, and expert opinion to develop and provide clinical recommendations and tools to help providers deliver evidence-based treatment and address the challenges associated with mild TBI.

  • Clinical recommendations provide guidance on assessing and managing mild TBI symptoms.
  • Clinical support tools offer an algorithmic approach to evaluating, managing, and referring mild TBI patients for specialty care.
  • Training material to show providers how to identify and treat patients with mild TBI-related symptoms.
  • Fact sheets and patient guides that provide tips and tools to help service members and veterans cope with a mild TBI.

UPDATED! Assessment and Management of Headache Following Concussion Clinical Suite

Thumbnail image of the downloadable assessment and management of headache following concussion clinical recommendation.This is a major revision of the 2016 clinical recommendation. Some key changes to new “Assessment and Management of Headache Following Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Guidance for the Primary Care Manager” include:

  • Expansion of both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment of the most common types of post-traumatic headaches.
  • Inclusion of three additional post-traumatic headache subtypes—trigeminal, occipital neuralgia, and vestibular migraines, as well as increased focus on medication overuse headache.
  • Addition of considerations and precautions for preventive treatment options and treatment efficacy criteria to help primary care managers ensure optimal and effective treatment.

The revised patient education fact sheet on managing headache after concussion helps patients understand behavioral and pharmacological strategies their primary care manager may use to manage their PTH.

The all-new fact sheet on medication overuse headache should be reviewed with the patient, as it has space for clinicians to outline a treatment plan. It explains the basics of MOH, as well as treatment and prevention strategies.

 

Neuroendocrine Dysfunction Screening Following Concussion/Mild TBI

 

Neuroimaging Following Concussion/Mild TBI

 

Dizziness and Visual Disturbances Following Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

 

Sleep Disturbances Following Concussion/Mild TBI

 

Cognitive Rehabilitation Following Mild to Moderate TBI

 

Neurocognitive Assessment Tool (NCAT) Testing Following Concussion/Mild TBI

 

Additional Clinical Support Tools

Check out the latest resource, "Medical Devices for Assessment of Traumatic Brain Injury." This fact sheet defines the different regulatory terms and pathways of medical devices, provides an overview on what devices are currently FDA approved for assessing TBI, and provides some considerations for clinicians and researchers before using a device.

Thumbnail image of the downloadable medical devices and TBI fact sheet.

Additional tools to assist in the identification, treatment, and management of patients with mild TBI in deployed and non-deployed settings are also available. Click below to download copies of the Glasgow Coma Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory, and a number of other evaluation tools.

Find and download the additional tools here.

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Infographic
Nov 29, 2023

TBICoE's Low-Level Blast Research Infographic

What is TBICoE doing to help warfighters exposed to low-level blast? Leading the charge: 1. Collaborated on Military weapons training studies and Epidemiology studies 2. Led health and performance efforts in support of the Section 734 Program Advancing the science: 1. Measured LLB exposure effects on performance 2. Provided recommendations on LLB surveillance 3. Advanced DOD’s understanding of LLB health and performance effects Answering the call: 1. Outlined next steps for LLB research 2. Helped to develop guidance for managing brain health risk from blast overexposure 3. Recommended the development of a tool to capture career blast exposure These efforts are in support of the Warfighter Brain Health Initiative LLB Relevant Aims 1. Understand the known and emerging threats and hazards to brain health 2. Monitor warfighters for brain exposures 3. Reduce risk of brain exposures that may negatively impact brain health

This infographic illustrates TBICoE's research activity on understanding how low-level blast influences warfighter brain health. This work directly supports Line of Effort 2 of the Warfighter Brain Health Initiative. Learn more about low-level blast exposure and TBI at health.mil/LLB.

Publication
Sep 29, 2023

TBICoE Research Review: Mild TBI and PTSD

.PDF | 435.28 KB

This research review provides an in-depth summary of the available clinical research on the topic of co-morbid mild traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder. Specifically, this review will address symptoms, anatomy, diagnosis, and treatment of mild TBI, PTSD, and the unique circumstances associated with the presentation of both.

Publication
Sep 29, 2023

Mild TBI and PTSD Clinical Pearls

.PDF | 924.82 KB

TBICoE's "Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Pearls," is a new supplemental product to the detailed research review. This resource is designed to be brief and provide key actionable “clinical pearls” that should be considered in the treatment of service members with comorbid mild TBI and PTSD.

Video
Sep 21, 2023

TBI and Low-Level Blast Exposure: What Medical Providers Need to Know

TBI and Low-Level Blast Exposure: What Medical Providers Need to Know

This educational video, produced by the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, focuses on the effects of low-level blast and traumatic brain injury. Its purpose is to provide supplemental information on low-level blast to health care providers and beneficiaries.

Technical Document
Jul 20, 2023

Infographic: What is the Acute Concussion Care Pathway?

.PDF | 714.95 KB

TBICoE developed this infographic as a quick reference tool that demonstrates application of the standardized acute concussion assessment and care process. By adhering to this established pathway of care for mild TBI, providers across the MHS can ensure a reduction in unwarranted variation and foster an integrated, standardized system of readiness and ...

Fact Sheet
Jul 18, 2023

Low-Level Blast: Fact Sheet for Providers

.PDF | 1.26 MB

Low-level blast is defined as blast generated from firing heavy weapon systems or explosives in combat or training environments. Exposure to low-level blast does not typically result in a clinically diagnosable concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury. Both providers and service members should be aware of the potential effects of low ...

Video
Jul 13, 2023

Acute Concussion Care Pathway Overview

What is the Acute Concussion Care Pathway thumbnail of educational video for providers.

The Acute Concussion Care Pathway standardizes acute concussion care in the Military Health System. This video is designed to educate medical providers on the ACC Pathway, improving their understanding and application of evidence-based clinical tools. This video covers aspects of the ACC Pathway in detail, providing explanations and guidance on using ...

Infographic
Jul 12, 2023

What is the Acute Concussion Care Pathway?

What is the Acute Concussion Care Pathway? The Acute Concussion Care Pathway is one of the DHA Director’s Quadruple Aim Performance Plan projects. The intent is to equip providers with state-of-the-science tools to standardize concussion assessment and care across the MHS. It is supported by the DHA Procedural Instruction 6490.04 which establishes the infrastructure to ensure patients achieve optimal concussion clinical outcomes.

TBICoE developed this infographic as a quick reference tool that demonstrates application of the standardized acute concussion assessment and care process. By adhering to this established pathway of care for mild TBI, providers across the MHS can ensure a reduction in unwarranted variation and foster an integrated, standardized system of readiness and ...

Publication
Jun 16, 2023

Neurodegenerative Diseases and Traumatic Brain Injury Information Paper

.PDF | 310.80 KB

The long term effects of TBI are unknown, but there is concern that there may be an association with neurodegenerative diseases years after the injury. The intention of this information paper is to summarize the available evidence for or against an association of TBI with three of the more common neurodegenerative diseases.

Fact Sheet
Jun 14, 2023

Leader Policy Guidance for Mild TBI/Concussion in the Deployed Setting Fact Sheet

.PDF | 723.27 KB

This document describes the line leader responsibilities for the Department of Defense mandated policy, DOD Instruction 6490.11, “DOD Policy Guidance for the Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion in the Deployed Setting,” that applies to all service members involved in potentially concussive events in deployed settings.

Report
Jun 12, 2023

2021 DOD Worldwide Numbers for TBI

.PDF | 847.35 KB

TBICoE is the Defense Department’s office of responsibility for tracking traumatic brain injury data in the U.S. military. Here you’ll find data on the number of active-duty service members—anywhere U.S. forces are located—with a first-time TBI diagnosis in 2021. The data is also broken down by each branch of the armed services.

Publication
Apr 7, 2023

2022 TBICoE Publication Catalog

.PDF | 577.80 KB

TBICoE publication citations and summaries are organized by category, or overarching research topic. The purpose of this document is to (1) summarize key findings and potential clinical implications of calendar year 2022 TBICoE publications, (2) increase awareness, and (3) assist in planning of future efforts.

Publication
Mar 17, 2023

TBICoE Research Review: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

.PDF | 1.87 MB

The purpose of this Research Review is to summarize current peer-reviewed scientific literature and expert assessment regarding the pathology, genetic pre-disposition, causes, clinical manifestations, and neuroimaging of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Publication
Mar 16, 2023

Back to School: A Guide to Academic Success After Traumatic Brain Injury

.PDF | 1.40 MB

Back to School: A Guide to Academic Success After Traumatic Brain Injury is a free resource, developed by the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence that is tailored to help service members and veterans who have sustained a TBI and are pursuing higher education. Those who have sustained a TBI may face unique challenges, and this guide provides ...

Last Updated: March 11, 2024
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