@article{ref1,
title="Community reintegration problems among veterans and active duty service members with traumatic brain injury",
journal="Journal of head trauma rehabilitation",
year="2016",
author="McGarity, Suzanne and Barnett, Scott D. and Lamberty, Greg and Kretzmer, Tracy and Powell-Cope, Gail and Patel, Nitin and Nakase-Richardson, Risa",
volume="32",
number="1",
pages="34-45",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: To examine community reintegration problems among Veterans and military service members with mild or moderate/severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) at 1 year postinjury and to identify unique predictors that may contribute to these difficulties. SETTING: VA Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 154 inpatients enrolled in the VA TBI Model Systems Program with available injury severity data (mild = 28.6%; moderate/severe = 71.4%) and 1-year postinjury outcome data. <br><br>DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal cohort. MAIN MEASURES: Community reintegration outcomes included independent driving, employability, and general community participation. Additional measures assessed depression, posttraumatic stress, and cognitive and motor functioning. <br><br>RESULTS: In the mild TBI (mTBI) group, posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive symptoms were associated with lower levels of various community reintegration outcomes. In the moderate/severe TBI group, cognition and motor skills were significantly associated with lower levels of community participation, independent driving, and employability. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Community reintegration is problematic for Veterans and active duty service members with a history of TBI. Unique comorbidities across injury severity groups inhibit full reintegration into the community. These findings highlight the ongoing rehabilitation needs of persons with TBI, specifically evidence-based mental healthcare, in comprehensive rehabilitation programs consistent with a chronic disease management model.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0885-9701",
doi="10.1097/HTR.0000000000000242",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/HTR.0000000000000242"
}