Integrative Medicine in Traumatic Brain Injury

Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Treating Headaches, Cognitive Dysfunction, Mental Fatigue, Insomnia, and Mood Disorders Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Comprehensive Review

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex condition associated with a range of persistent symptoms including headaches, cognitive dysfunction, mental fatigue, insomnia, and mood disorders. Conventional treatments for TBI-related symptoms can be insufficient, leading to interest in complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) approaches. This comprehensive article examines the existing literature on CIM modalities, including mind-body interventions, acupuncture/acupressure, herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, biofeedback, yoga, and tai chi in the context of managing secondary complications following TBI. The article highlights potential benefits and limitations of CIM modalities, while acknowledging the need for further research to better establish efficacy and safety in this specific population.

Impact of Curcumin on Traumatic Brain Injury and Involved Molecular Signaling Pathways

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide with no suitable treatment. The present study was designed to review the present literature about the protective effects of curcumin and the underlying mechanism against TBI. All published English language papers from beginning to 2019 were selected in this study. The findings indicate that curcumin may be effective against TBI outcomes by modulating the molecular signaling pathways involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy. However, more experimental studies should be done to identify all mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of TBI. Patents for Curcumin and chronic inflammation and traumatic brain injury management (WO2017097805A1 and US9101580B2) were published. In conclusion, the present study confirmed the potential therapeutic impact of curcumin for treating TBI.

Utilization of Complementary and Integrative Health Care by People With Spinal Cord Injury in the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems: A Descriptive Study

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the use of complementary and integrative health care (CIH) by people with spinal cord injury.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional self-report study.

SETTING

Participants were recruited from 5 Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) centers across the United States.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 411 persons enrolled in the SCIMS completing their SCIMS follow-up interview between January 2017 and July 2019 (N = 411).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants completed a survey developed for this study that included questions about types of CIH currently and previously used, reasons for current and previous use, reasons for discontinuing use of CIH, and reasons for never using CIH since injury.

RESULTS

Of the 411 respondents, 80.3% were current or previous users of CIH; 19.7% had not used CIH since injury. The most commonly used current types of CIH were multivitamins (40.0%) and massage (32.6%), whereas the most common previously used type of CIH was acupuncture (33.9%). General health and wellness (61.4%) and pain (31.2%) were the most common reasons for using CIH. The primary reason for discontinuing CIH was that it was not helpful (42.1%). The primary reason for not using CIH since injury was not knowing what options are available (40.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

These results point to the importance for rehabilitation clinicians to be aware that their patients may be using 1 or more CIH approaches. Providers should be open to starting a dialogue to ensure the health and safety of their patients because there is limited information on safety and efficacy of CIH approaches in this population. These results also set the stage for further analysis of this data set to increase our knowledge in this area.

Psychopharmacology of traumatic brain injury

The pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be highly variable, involving functional and/or structural damage to multiple neuroanatomical networks and neurotransmitter systems. This wide-ranging potential for physiologic injury is reflected in the diversity of neurobehavioral and neurocognitive symptoms following TBI. Here, we aim to provide a succinct, clinically relevant, up-to-date review on psychopharmacology for the most common sequelae of TBI in the postacute to chronic period. Specifically, treatment for neurobehavioral symptoms (depression, mania, anxiety, agitation/irritability, psychosis, pseudobulbar affect, and apathy) and neurocognitive symptoms (processing speed, attention, memory, executive dysfunction) will be discussed. Treatment recommendations will reflect general clinical practice patterns and the research literature.