Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

DHA’s TBI-focused Caregiver & Family Member Study continues at TBICoE

Image of A husband, wife, and two children sitting at the Warrior and Family Support Center. Genette Burges spends time with her husband Dan and children at the Warrior and Family Support Center at Joint Base San Antonio (Photo by: Lori Newman, Brooke Army Medical Center).

For the family members of some service members or veterans with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), caregiving is a 24/7 job. Those who live this daily life of caring for others are celebrated today with National Caregivers Day.

This may include assistance with daily activities, social interaction, and financial management. Without proper resources, these essential responsibilities can take a physical and psychological toll on the caregiver and the rest of their family.

In 2010, the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, now known as the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, launched the Caregiver and Family Member Study. This 15-Year Longitudinal TBI Study, led by TBICoE researchers at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda, Maryland is a congressionally mandated study that examines the effects of TBI incurred by service members. The specific focus of the study is on those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, and how those effects impact family members.

The Caregiver and Family Member Study aims to better understand the impact of the service member’s or veteran’s TBI on their family.

Now in its eleventh year, the Caregiver and Family Member Study has found that the time commitment and burden of caregiving is correlated with physical and psychological distress, poor sleep and disrupted family life. Frequently, caregivers balance their commitments toward their service member or veteran with childcare and other work duties, often receiving no help and having little time for themselves.

Caregivers also have unmet health care and care provision needs. These unmet needs can evolve to worse caregiver health and well-being.

However, the study also highlights that not all caregivers report negative outcomes. In fact, some report high levels of satisfaction and resilience and healthy family relationships.

Respite care, support groups, financial support, access to health care and training programs are critical for caregivers to manage the burdens of caregiving and to promote the recovery of the service member or veteran. Eligible caregivers can receive these services through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Caregiver Programs.

Since launching the study, TBICoE has spearheaded several efforts to educate and support TBI caregivers, such as the development of the TBI Caregiver Quality of Life (TBI-CareQOL) Measurement System. TBICoE researchers at the NICoE plan to use measures from the TBI-CareQOL and larger Caregiver and Family Member Study as a screening tool to identify family members of NICoE patients at risk of poor health-related quality of life and in need of behavioral health care.

In addition, TBICoE’s “A Head for the Future” initiative has recorded testimonies emphasizing the need for robust TBI caregiver education and resources.

Brian O’Rourke, a retired Navy chief petty officer who sustained multiple TBIs, said, “My number one caretaker for the rest of my life is my wife, so for her to understand that I have TBI and how to help me deal with it is huge.”

TBICoE and NICoE staff anticipate that one of the overall impacts of the study is that caregivers are supported in their roles long term and their own health and welfare needs are attended to.

The TBICoE Caregiver and Family Member Study is ongoing and currently recruiting caregivers of service members and veterans with TBI and PTSD (TBI and PTSD caregivers), and parents and spouses who are not caregiving (non-caregiver military family members). Those interested in participating should contact the study leads at dha.caregiver.study@mail.mil or by phone at 855-821-1469.

To find additional resources for TBI caregivers and family members, visit the TBICoE website.

You also may be interested in...

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

Changes in Behavior, Personality or Mood Following Concussion/mTBI Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
5/22/2023

This TBICoE fact sheet can be used by health care providers to educate patients with a concussion, or mild TBI, on how to manage changes in mood related to their injury. Patients and caregivers would also find this information useful.

Application of Acute Concussion Care Pathway: MACE 2 & PRA Training

Calendar Event
5/16/2023

The Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence is hosting a combined Military Acute Concussion Evaluation 2 and Progressive Return to Activity clinical recommendation virtual training. Attendees may earn two CEUs through the Defense Health Agency Continuing Education Program Office.

Acute Concussion Care Pathway: MACE 2 and PRA Training

Publication
5/12/2023

The Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence is hosting a combined Military Acute Concussion Evaluation 2 and Progressive Return to Activity clinical recommendation virtual training.

TBICoE Spotlight: Lisa Moy Martin

Video
5/11/2023
TBICoE Spotlight: Lisa Moy Martin

In this edition of TBICoE Connect Employee Spotlight, we dive into Lisa Moy Martin's inspiring journey in TBI research, her dedication to the mission and the unique opportunities that helped shape her decades long career.

Vestibular Assessment and Rehab Course Focuses on Dizziness from TBI

Article
5/5/2023
Vestibular Assessment and Rehab Course Focuses on Dizziness from TBI

Hearing Center of Excellence offers training for dizziness related to concussion.

Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy

FAQs
4/19/2023

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.

Concussion Protocols Aid Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery

Article
4/17/2023
Concussion Protocols Aid Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery

Whether on the sport field or the battlefield, the Defense Health Agency is the global leader in research on the effects of concussion—known as mild traumatic brain injury—in the military. Its research has fueled the development of protocols to help providers assess and treat concussion from initial injury to acute and post-acute medical settings, rehabilitation, and, ultimately, a return to family, community, work, continued duty, or recreation.

Anomalous Health Incident Acute Assessment Training

Publication
4/17/2023

This virtual training, hosted by the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, will introduce MHS health care providers to Anomalous Health Incidents and review assessment and treatment strategies. Detailed guidance on how to complete a medical evaluation using Anomalous Health Incident (AHI) Acute Assessment (DHA Form 244), will be provided.

2023 TBICoE Quarterly Education Series Schedule

Publication
4/14/2023

The Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence's Quarterly Education Series is an enterprise-wide learning opportunity for Military Health System stakeholders. Since inception, the QES provides trainings and events that are relevant to the MHS, discussing specialty topics and current research related to TBI.

2022 TBICoE Publication Catalog

Publication
4/7/2023

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.

TBI—The Female Experience

Publication
4/6/2023

Join the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence for an exploration of the unique ways in which brain injury manifests in the female population at the next Quarterly Education Series virtual event. Etiology, symptomatology, and diagnosis can be nuanced and have long gone unstudied in women. Experts will discuss a new wave of research, clinical support, and barriers for females with TBI. TBICoE's QES is an enterprise-wide learning opportunity for Military Health System stakeholders.

Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness

Article Around MHS
4/6/2023
A patient receives an MRI. Rachel Mote, the regional educational coordinator at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center traumatic brain injury clinic talk about TBIs during the Kaiserslautern Military Community News Update. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Sgt. Jared Kindlespire, Regional Media Center AFN Europe)

Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries aren't always physical, or even recognizable. Listen to our audio newscast and get potentially lifesaving advice from the experts.

Highlighting the Intrepid Spirit Concussion Recovery Clinic

Article Around MHS
4/6/2023
U.S. Navy Commander Diana Fu explains the physical therapy room at Intrepid Spirit Concussion Recovery Clinic to Marine Corps Installations East Commander on Aug. 2, 2021. (Photo by Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune)

Would you be able to recognize the symptoms of a brain injury in yourself or someone close to you? Even the slightest head injury may not just "go way", and we've got some important tips that could save your life.

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence FAQs

FAQs
3/31/2023

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

Page 1 of 18 , showing items 1 - 15
First < 1 2 3 4 5  ... > Last 
Refine your search
Last Updated: December 28, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery