Long-term effects of executive function training among veterans with chronic TBI

• Published in: Brain injury Vol. 33; no. 12; p. 1513
• Main Authors: Novakovic-Agopian, Tatjana, Kornblith, Erica, Abrams, Gary, McQuaid, John R, Posecion, Lainie, Burciaga, Joaquin, D'Esposito, Mark, Chen, Anthony J W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 15.10.2019
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Attention; Brain Injuries, Traumatic - psychology; Brain Injuries, Traumatic - rehabilitation; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Executive Function - physiology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Treatment Outcome; Veterans - psychology; Traumatic brain injury; Veterans; long-term follow-up; cognitive rehabilitation
• ISSN: 1362-301X
• DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2019.1645357

: To investigate long-term effects of GOALS executive function training in Veterans with chronic TBI. In a recently completed study Veterans with chronic TBI showed improvement immediately post-GOALS but not control training on measures of executive function, functional task performance, and emotion regulation. We now examine the long-term maintenance of post-GOALS training changes in the same sample. : San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS), and VA Northern California Health-Care System (VANCHS) in Martinez. : 24 Veterans with chronic TBI were assessed at baseline, post-GOALS training, and long-term follow-up 6+ months following completion of training with a structured telephone interview, neuropsychological and complex functional performance measures, and self-report measures of daily and emotional functioning. : Participants reported an increased likelihood of involvement in competitive employment/volunteering at follow-up (61%) compared to baseline (26%; χ2 = 5.66, < .01, ѱ = .35). Repeated measures MANOVAS indicated improvement on attention/executive function (F = 13.85, < .01, partial η2 = .42), complex functional task performance (GPS Total: F = 9.12, < .01, partial η2 = .38) and daily functioning (MPAI Total: F = 3.23, < .05, partial η2 = .21), and reduction in overall mood disturbance (POMS Total: F = 3.42, < .05, partial η2 = .22) at follow-up relative to baseline. : Training in attention regulation applied to participant-defined goals is associated with meaningful long-term improvement in cognitive skills, emotion regulation, and daily functioning in Veterans with chronic TBI.