title: CogSMART Compensatory Cognitive Training for Traumatic Brain Injury: Effects Over 1 Year.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There are very few evidence-based treatments for individuals with mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries. We developed and tested a 12-week, manualized, compensatory cognitive training intervention, Cognitive Symptom Management and Rehabilitation Therapy (CogSMART), which targeted postconcussive symptom management, prospective memory, attention, learning/memory, and executive functioning. The intervention focused on psychoeducation and compensatory strategies such as calendar use, self-talk, note taking, and a 6-step problem-solving method.
  
  
  METHODS
  VA Healthcare System.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 50 Veterans with mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries receiving supported employment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve-month randomized controlled trial with participants assigned to receive CogSMART or additional supported employment sessions for the first 12 weeks. Outcome assessments were administered at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Assessments measured postconcussive symptoms, neuropsychological performance, functional capacity, psychiatric symptom severity, quality of life, and weeks worked during the 12-month trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hierarchical linear modeling analyses using all 4 time points demonstrated significant CogSMART-associated reductions in postconcussive symptoms (r = -0.28, P = .026, d = 0.64) and improvements in prospective memory (r = 0.35, P = .031, d = 0.55) and quality of life (r = 0.34, P = .009, d = 1.0). The groups did not differ on weeks worked during the trial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CogSMART has the potential to improve postconcussive symptoms, cognitive performance, and self-rated quality of life in individuals with mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries.
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California (Drs Twamley, Jak, Delis, and Lohr); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California (Drs Twamley, Jak, Bondi, and Lohr); Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville (Ms Thomas); Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham (Ms Gregory); Psychology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California (Drs Jak and Bondi).
authors.forename: Elizabeth W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Twamley
authors.forename: Kelsey R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Amber M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.forename: Amy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Jak
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Bondi
authors.forename: Dean C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Delis
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lohr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D038223:Post-Concussion Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans