JRRD releases single-topic issue on traumatic brain injury and polytrauma

BALTIMORE, Md., Nov. 16, 2007--The Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development (JRRD) today released a single-topic issue on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and polytrauma. Focused on the diagnosis and treatment of TBI, this issue examines the clinical characteristics of military personnel returning from combat and describes several healthcare models that are providing care and support to them and their families.

“The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in a new generation of combat survivors with complex physical injuries and emotional trauma including postconcussive symptoms, posttraumatic stress, poor cognitive performance, head and back pain, auditory and visual symptoms, and problems with dizziness or balance,” says Henry L. Lew, MD, PhD, Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Palo Alto Health Care System and Guest Editor of the issue. “The purpose of this special issue is to document lessons learned that will enhance the identification and treatment of veterans with polytrauma across the country.”

Topics in this issue include—

• Treatment of patients with posttraumatic stress disorder and mild TBI
• Military and VA telemedicine systems for patients with TBI
• Operational description of the VA Palo Alto Polytrauma Network Site
• Neuropsychiatric perspective on TBI.

This issue is available for download at no charge from www.rehab.research.va.gov. The print version is due for release Dec. 14. Printed copies can be requested by sending an e-mail message to dore.mobley@va.gov. Please be sure to include your complete mailing address in your request.

About the journal: JRRD is an international, peer-reviewed journal and resource for researchers, clinicians, and persons with disabilities. The journal publishes and disseminates original investigations, clinical studies, and topical reviews that enhance the quality and relevance of reported interdisciplinary research and biomedical and engineering advances. For more than 40 years, users have relied on JRRD to communicate their research findings to a global audience.