of this study was to examine the Twitter experiences and networks of six adults with cognitive-communication disability after a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Using mixed methods, the study integrated: (a) quantitative analysis of Twitter networks using computational and manual coding of tweets; and (b) narrative analysis of in-depth interviews.

Diverse experiences were evident, with two experienced and four novice users of the platform. However, all reported feeling connected and included, and identified both positive and negative experiences in their use of Twitter. Developing a supportive network facilitated higher frequency of tweets and increased feelings of enjoyment and connectedness. All expressed a desire to continue using or learning to use Twitter but novices lacked support from rehabilitation professionals or experienced Twitter users, and relied instead on a “trial and error” approach.

Proactive integration of Twitter use during rehabilitation after TBI is warranted to support safe, enjoyable, and meaningful use.

Best practice management for medically cleared concussion is to commence a graded return to activity, as tolerated, and within 24–48 h of the injury. Patients may encounter this or other advice if they search the Internet, or when they are discharged from care. It is not yet known how patients would interpret this advice, particularly for specific activities. This study compared the effect of two forms of concussion advice on physical activity plans. It was expected that compared to the advice to gradually return to activity, the advice to ‘rest’ would lead to reduced activity plans.

Concussion simulators received the generic advice to undertake 1 week of (i) rest (no physical activity [NPA], n = 115) or (ii) graded physical activity (GPA, n = 104). Activity plans were recorded using items from the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Rest-Activity Questionnaire (MTBI-RAQ).

There was a significant group difference in activity plans (NPA < GPA, total score and for all MTBI-RAQ items, p’s ≤ 0.001, medium-to-large effects). The average NPA response was for a significant reduction from pre-injury for 14 activities, with no planned change for 2 activities (walking, household chores). In the GPA group, there were plans to reduce (nitems = 7), continue (nitems = 5) or increase activities (nitems = 4; e.g., swimming). Both groups proposed to decrease ‘high-risk’ activities (e.g., heavy lifting).

As expected, there was a significant effect of the type of advice on physical activity plans. Compared to the GPA advice, the NPA advice led to a significant reduction of planned physical activity. If concussed patients seek or receive advice that recommends NPA, it may prompt activity plans that are unnecessarily restrictive. If GPA advice is given, it leads to varied plans, with fewer restrictions overall, and avoidance of higher risk physical activities. Generic GPA advice has the potential to facilitate active recovery for concussion; however, patients would still likely benefit from a professional consultation about their plan and support to safely implement it, and this should be investigated in future research.

Adults with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) often show deficits in executive function (EF), including the ability to inhibit, switch, and attend to task relevant information. Although performances differences between bilinguals and monolinguals have been observed in EF tasks, there is little research on the effect of TBI on EF in bilinguals. In this study, an ecologically valid standardized measure and experimental computerized tasks of EF were administered to Spanish-English bilingual adults with and without history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Twenty-two bilinguals with a history of mTBI [mean age=20.1 years, SD=3.7; education=13.4 years, SD=0.7] and 20 control bilinguals [mean age=20.8 years, SD=3.6; education=13.7 years, SD=1.1], matched for age and education, completed language proficiency questionnaires, the Functional Assessment of Verbal Reasoning and Executive Strategies (FAVRES), English and Spanish language assessments, and a Flanker task (a test of inhibition).

Performance was analyzed using analyses of covariance. The results revealed that bilinguals with a history of mTBI performed worse on both the standardized assessment (FAVRES) and inhibition task. Interestingly, self-reported EF deficits were consistent with performance on these measures.

The findings of this study provide useful information regarding assessment of EF deficits in bilinguals with a history mTBI. Computerized experimental tasks of EF may also prove useful in the assessment of EF in individuals with mTBI.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common among children. However, their caregivers’ knowledge and understanding of symptoms may influence how the injury is managed.

To investigate the knowledge of New Zealand (NZ) parents about TBI and concussion.

Parents (n = 205) of children aged 5–13 years completed a pen-and-paper or online survey containing questions examining their knowledge of TBI terminology, TBI symptoms and knowledge about concussion management.

A high proportion (61%) of parents did not think that a concussion was the same as a brain injury. Loss of consciousness (LOC) was the most endorsed symptom of TBI. However, 69% of participants were aware that TBI could occur without LOC. On average, parents correctly identified 19.5 (67.3%) of the 29 symptoms of TBI, but also identified 2.0 (11.9%) of the 17 distractor symptoms as being TBI related. Demographic factors and experience of TBI/concussion were associated with TBI symptom identification accuracy and concussion knowledge.

Further education of parents is needed to ensure they recognise the signs and symptoms of concussion/mild TBI so that they can make informed decisions on how best to manage their child’s injury.

Mood disturbance is frequent after traumatic brain injury (TBI), often assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Research supports a three-factor HADS structure (anxiety, depression, and psychomotor), although this has not been used to investigate demographic variables and mood outcome post-TBI. This study examined severity of TBI, demographic variables [age, gender, estimated premorbid IQ (EIQ), relationship status, employment status, socio-economic status (SES)], and mood outcome, using HADS factor scores from a large adult population sample in Tasmania.

HADS factor scores were calculated for an initial sample of 596 adults. The sample sizes varied according to those attending at 1, 6, 12 and 24 months post-TBI and the available data for each dependent variable.

Significantly higher anxiety, depression, and psychomotor scores were reported at most follow-ups by females, the middle-aged, and those with lower IQs. Longer post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) was associated with significantly greater mood problems. Occasional significant findings at earlier follow-ups for the factors were noted for those unemployed. Other variables were rarely significant. PTA, premorbid IQ, and Age were included in most Multiple Regression equations predicting outcome for the factors, with Gender included for Anxiety and depression at 6 months after injury.

Key demographic variables and PTA severity relate to mood post-TBI, and contribute to predicting mood outcome. Differences in findings for the three factors support their use in clinical practice.