@article{ref1,
title="Posttraumatic stress symptoms in OIF/OEF service members with blast-related and non-blast-related mild TBI",
journal="NeuroRehabilitation",
year="2010",
author="Kennedy, Jan E. and Leal, Felix O. and Lewis, Jeffrey D. and Cullen, Maren A. and Amador, Ricardo R.",
volume="26",
number="3",
pages="223-231",
abstract="PURPOSE: To examine the proportion and severity of stress-related symptoms in U.S. service members with mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) received during deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Stress-related symptoms reported by service members with mTBI from explosive munitions are compared to symptoms reported by those with mTBI received from other mechanisms (i.e. falls, motor vehicle accidents). METHODS: Posttraumatic stress, as measured by scores on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-C), for a sample of 586 OIF/OEF service members with blast-related mTBI was compared to a sample of 138 OIF/OEF service members with non-blast mTBI selected from retrospective review of research records. RESULTS: Re-experiencing symptoms such as flashbacks and nightmares were higher for the blast mTBI group than for the non-blast mTBI group. Symptoms on other PTSD clusters and total score did not significantly differ between groups. Equivalent proportions of the blast and non-blast groups endorsed severe PTSD symptoms, with total PCL-C scores greater than or equal to 50. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with prior reports, high levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms occur in a substantial proportion of service members who experienced deployment-related blast and non-blast mTBI. Results suggest that the psychological rehabilitation of OIF/OEF service members with mTBI from explosive blast should include particular attention to addressing re-experiencing symptoms.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1053-8135",
doi="10.3233/NRE-2010-0558",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/NRE-2010-0558"
}