Reintegrating Troops with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) into Their Communities: Understanding the Scope and Timeline of Post-Deployment Driving Problems

This study is designed to examine the extent to which combat driving behaviors and anxieties are carried-over into driving on American roads post-deployment from service in Operation Enduring FreedomOperation Iraqi Freedom OEFOIF and to compare such behaviors in Service Members SMs who have not served in OEFOIF and do and do not have mild traumatic brain injury mTBI. The study has struggled to gain access to subjects. PIs ORISE Faculty Fellowship US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine USACHPPM has offered slow progress. An initial plan to collaborate with BAMC was terminated with that institution citing excess research demands. Project is in process with command and OICs of Research at Ft. Riley and Ft. Hood and with command of CBWTUs COL Mozden to gain access to SMs with mTBI. No progress in accessing uninjured Soldiers with and without OEFOIF service. Presentation of original pilot data a Military Health Research Forum was reported on front page of US Today Sept 1, 2009 and St. Paul Pioneer Press Sep 1, 2009, as well as many military and civilian websites Marines and National PTSD center have expressed interest in collaboration on project. No data gathered no findings to report.