Factors Associated With Outcomes in Patients With Vestibular Symptoms Related to Traumatic Brain Injury (ADAPT)
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common injuries seen among Post-9/11 Veterans. Research shows that Post-9/11 Veterans experience dizziness more often than other symptoms after head injury. Dizziness is diagnosed as a vestibular, or inner ear, problem. Dizziness can negatively impact quality of life, physical health, and mental health. While there are many known treatment options for symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, there is no research that shows which treatment best reduces dizziness for these individuals.
For this study, the TORCH team collaborates with the Hearing and Balance Research Program at the Mountain Home VA. Our research team reviews a variety of sources to assess prevalence of dizziness for Post-9/11 Veterans with mTBI (mild TBI). We review VA and Department of Defense (DoD) medical data to assess the overall presence of dizziness and vestibular symptoms. Following this, Veterans with potential issues with dizziness were invited to participate in a survey to collect data that might not be included in VA medical charts. The team reviews the data collected by the surveys, medical charts, and types of VA and non-VA care used to treat Veterans to help us understand the unique impact of dizziness in the health outcomes of Post 9/11 Veterans. Our goal is to determine factors that contribute to successful outcomes of patients with TBI-related dizziness.