Cognitive Rehabilitation With Mobile Technology and Social Support for Veterans With TBI and PTSD: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Eric B Elbogen, Paul A Dennis, Elizabeth E Van Voorhees, Shannon M Blakey, Jacqueline L Johnson, Sally C Johnson, H Ryan Wagner, Robert M Hamer, Jean C Beckham, Tom Manly, Aysenil Belger, Apollo-University Of Cambridge Repository (+1 others)
2019
Objective: To investigate effects of cognitive rehabilitation with mobile technology and social support on veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants: 112 dyads comprised of a veteran and family member or friend (224 participants total). Design: Dyads were randomized to: 1) a novel intervention, Cognitive Applications for Life Management (CALM), involving goal management training plus mobile devices for cueing and training attentional
more » ... l, or 2) Brain Health Training, involving psychoeducation plus mobile devices to train visual memory. Main Measures: Executive dysfunction (disinhibition, impulsivity) and emotional dysregulation (anger, maladaptive interpersonal behaviors) collected prior to randomization and following intervention completion at six months. Results: The clinical trial yielded negative findings regarding executive dysfunction but positive findings on measures of emotion dysregulation. Veterans randomized to CALM reported a 25% decrease in anger over six months compared to 8% reduction in the control (=-5.27, p=.008). Family/friends reported veterans randomized to CALM engaged in 26% fewer maladaptive interpersonal behaviors (e.g., aggression) over six months compared to 6% reduction in the control ( =-2.08, p=.016). An unanticipated result was clinically meaningful change in PTSD symptoms among veterans randomized to CALM (p<.001). Conclusion: This preliminary study demonstrated effectiveness of CALM for reducing emotional dysregulation in veterans with TBI and PTSD.
doi:10.17863/cam.37973 fatcat:uxn2vl6bpvedrfsnqszvja7utu