Day Two: AFMS Research Symposium Reveals Emerging Research in Pediatric Concussion, Sleep Disorder

By Robyn Mincher, DCoE Strategic Communications

In his presentation “Crisis Planning for Suicidal Patients in Combat Zones,” Dr. Craig Bryan, a formerly deployed psychological health care provider, described his experience with a deployed service member who attempted suicide.

“He put his weapon under his chin, and his buddies tackled him,” he said. “We need to develop a crisis response plan that empowers patients to manage themselves. Crisis response teaches patients how to identify a crisis early and resolve it, build treatment adherence and facilitate problem solving."

Bryan’s talk on crisis planning was one of 11 presentations at the psychological health and TBI track, sponsored by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE), offered the second day of the AFMS research symposium. Presentations included non-invasive TBI diagnosis, pediatric concussion, sleep disorder and analyzing trends in service members seeking combat stress treatment.

Col. Stephen Sharp, DCoE deputy director of TBI clinical standards of care, revealed emerging research on TBI in youths. He outlined biomarkers for concussion in children and stressed the need for educating youth sport coaches and providing pre-assessment tests.

“The immature brain is more vulnerable to injury,” said Sharp. “Coaches should have a sports concussion assessment tool and, after an injury, should take a child to a quiet place for assessment and compare it to a pre-test.”

Cmdr. Michael Handrigan, DCoE director of TBI clinical standards of care, presented on addressing sleep disorders associated with mild TBI. He revealed that between 72 and 94 percent of those in the military with a TBI experience sleep disorders, and listed co-occurring conditions that are associated with sleep. Handrigan’s presentation encouraged cognitive therapy and sleep hygiene for treatment, and cited the DCoE Co-Occurring Conditions Toolkit as a resource to help providers diagnose and manage patients with co-occurring mild TBI and psychological health disorders.

“The toolkit features a sleep disorder section intended to look at the various problems that may occur,” he said. “Providers can assess these conditions in a way that helps highlight what they should be recommending for treatment and what exactly they can do for the individual.”

The DCoE track brought together providers, clinicians and people who are invested in military psychological heath and TBI to present prominent studies and discuss issues prevalent in the military health community.

“I attended the psychological and TBI track because you get the most up-to-date research that is coming out,” said Air Force Capt. Regina Peterson, a health care provider and professor with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. “I discovered a lot of resources I didn’t know of before.”

Air Force Col. Christopher Robinson, DCoE deputy director for psychological health, was pleased with the presentations and shared knowledge that occurred at the event.

"The Air Force Medical Symposium shared the latest on medical research and technological development efforts garnered by both Air Force and other leading experts in their fields," he said. "Specifically, the psychological health and TBI track shared research and resources that will advance the mission of caring for our service members, veterans and military families with TBI and/or psychological health concerns."

If you were not able to attend the conference, stay tuned for the posting of recorded sessions of the psychological health and TBI sessions.