Cognitive-Communication Screening and Early Therapy for Adults With Mild TBI

Approximately 15-20% of patients with concussion/mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) have persistent cognitive symptoms up to six months or longer. Problems with working memory, divided attention, processing speed, and executive function are common (Belanger & Vanderploeg, 2005; Mott, McConnon, & Rieger, 2012, Rabinowitz & Levin, 2014). Patients often report how these problems negatively impact daily communication. Although neurocognitive tests are frequently used to identify patients at-risk for persistent symptoms, perhaps tests that not only assess cognition, but also communication would be better at identifying more functional deficits. Patients at-risk for persistent symptoms could then begin therapy earlier to address problems affecting work, school, or everyday activities. Speech-language pathologists are uniquely qualified to evaluate and treat patients with concussion/mTBI and cognitive-communication disorders (ASHA, 2005; Cicerone, et al.; Cornis-Pop et al., 2012). Cognitive-communication is the relationship between cognition and its influence on verbal and nonverbal communication, reading, and writing (ASHA, 2007). At this time, practice guidelines are emerging for cognitive-communication intervention related to concussion/mTBI (Cornis-Pop et al., 2012), yet there is still much research to be done. Typically, in recovery following a concussion/mTBI, patients are referred for cognitive-communication intervention if they are failing or struggling at work, school, or in daily activities. Some patients will not be seen for up to six months based on the assumption by healthcare professionals that most persistent cognitive and communication symptoms will resolve on their own. The wait period before referral for additional services is currently being investigated in the literature. Additionally, therapy for cognitive-communication will only be provided if patients report difficulties to their physicians and are referred for services. If services are not sought out, problems in cognitive-communication will go unrecognized as being a result of the concussion/mTBI.

The specific aims of this study are: 1) Determine if screening measures that evaluate symptoms of concussion/mTBI frequently used by speech-language pathologists administered two and four weeks post-injury will be able to predict individuals at-risk for persistent cognitive and communication symptoms, and 2) Will an early treatment group with persistent cognitive-communication deficits one month after injury differ in pre- and post-therapy functional outcome measure scores as compared to a delayed therapy group beginning services at two months post-injury?

Significance: Results of this study will increase the understanding in the use of cognitive and communication screening measures frequently administered by speech-language pathologists to identify patients at-risk for persistent symptoms related to concussion/mTBI and provide information about the outcomes of cognitive-communication intervention delivered early in recovery.

Inclusion criteria

• diagnosed with concussion/mTBI by ER physician
• speak English as the primary language
• have functional hearing and vision to take the screening measures
• have no prior history of a TBI requiring hospitalization and/or rehabilitation
• have no history of other neurological or psychological diagnoses that would prevent the completion of the screening measures
• mild to moderate hearing loss with aided amplification
• reading glasses to correct their vision
• bilingual subjects whose primary language is English will be included

Exclusion criteria

• do not live in Flagstaff, AZ or the surrounding area making them unavailable for follow-up screening or therapy
• English is not spoken as the primary language
• have severe hearing loss or vision problems which cannot be corrected with hearing aids or glasses
• prior history of a traumatic brain injury requiring hospitalization and/or rehabilitation
• history of other neurological or psychological diagnoses preventing the completion of the screening sessions