Aparna Vijayan, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist, Neuroscience and Rehabilitation Center

Eisenhower Army Medical Center

The seat of our cognition is in our brain. In simple terms, cognition is the ability of the individual to think, to process information, to store this information and to solve problems.

Cognitive abilities are comprised of several different components including attention, concentration memory, reasoning, problem solving, planning and judgment. Cognitive integrity is essential on a daily basis. It helps us to be independent in activities of daily living, community mobility, vocational placement, maintenance of employment, success in academic endeavors, as well as in the development and maintenance of friendships and intimate relationships.

Deficits in any of the components of cognition can impact the individual at the physical, emotional and social levels.

Trauma to the brain can be caused by motor vehicle accidents, assaults, falls, bicycle accidents, sport injuries, as well as exposure to blasts/explosions. Blast injuries are the most common cause of concussion in soldiers returning from deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. A concussion, also called a mild Traumatic Brain Injury, involves no loss of consciousness (a feeling of being dazed or seeing stars) or a very brief period of loss of consciousness (for a few seconds to a few minutes, typically less than 30 minutes).

Typical symptoms of a concussion include headaches, changes in sleep and mood, as well as cognitive skills, especially memory.

Following a concussion, cognitive challenges or deficits may be manifested in the form of difficulty with concentration, memory problems, perceptual problems, lack of initiation, difficulty with word finding, disorganization, and difficulty with problem solving. The individual may also experience challenges learning new information, reduced speed of processing and difficulty planning, organizing and multi-tasking. Problems in these areas may impact the ability to learn new information. It may also lead to decreased participation in leisure and recreational activities, difficulty with social and vocational interactions.

Fortunately, the brain is a resilient organ, and individuals who have sustained a mild brain injury are likely to see more or less complete resolution of most of their problems within two to 12 weeks post mTBI. It may persist for longer in some individuals who have continued problems with headaches, pain issues, and mood and/or sleep disturbances. A speech therapist and/or occupational therapist can provide strategies and resources to help improve the cognitive abilities after a concussion.

It is important for someone who sustained a concussion to seek medical help to address any changes in their physical, emotional and cognitive abilities.

The treatment of concussion requires a team effort since it can impact the individuals physically, emotionally or cognitively.

The TBI Clinic at Eisenhower Army Medical Center is part of the Neuroscience and Rehabilitation Center. We treat soldiers and family members who have sustained a concussion/mTBI as a result of exposure to an IED blast as well as other causes.

We have a multidisciplinary team including a physiatrist, neurologist, psychiatrist, neuropsychologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, recreational therapist, clinical social worker and professional counselor, who provide well-coordinated, comprehensive, multidisciplinary and individualized treatment plans to all our patients.

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