Holistic Healing TBI study

Holistic Rehabilitation 1
Traumatic Brain Injury
Holistic Rehabilitation
Briana Boykin
University of West Georgia

Traumatic Brain Injury: Holistic Rehabilitation
A traumatic brain injury is a physical injury to the head resulting in physical damage of
any portion of the brain. This physical damage often leads to psychological, physical, cognitive,
and psychosocial deficits in the individual affected. Due to the wide range of function that the
brain itself pertains to the effects of traumatic brain injuries can range from physical limitations
to personality changes. It is obvious and further discovered that traumatic brain injuries do not
solely affect the injured, but those that surround and care for the patient as well. According to the
Centers for Disease Control, 1.7 million people sustain a TBI each year. Researchers estimate
that 3.2 million Americans need long-term and life-long assistance to perform daily life activities
as a result of sustaining a TBI. (Dillahunt-Aspillaga, 2013, p.1) When an individual leaves their
house it is not often the thought crosses their mind that they may not come home the same as
when they left. This looked over injury impacts a surplus amounts of individuals and yet the
studies and rehabilitation methods for those diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury are slim and
not perfected.
It is discovered through research and comparisons that although a full cure is not
discovered, an alternative method of combined care with a reinforced support system allows for
a more positive rehabilitation correlation. Although medical intervention and therapeutic
sessions are the routes of treatments the key to successful recovery is family support. Through
studies I have found that all aspects of healing separately or in combination have fallen short to
the healing of a patient who has quality care alongside family and care provider’s positive
support. This idea gives light that many aspects of healing and wellness are affected by the mind
and body working in tandem.

An article on a case study of man journey to stability and wellness supports the statement
of one’s family’s importance in their healing process. The study is revolved around a forty year
old man who was unfortunately involved in an automobile accident at twenty-two and as a result
was subjected to a traumatic brain injury (TBI) of the frontal lobe. He sustained a severe head
injury, with a complicated anterior fossa fracture and an open wound on the forehead from which
brain tissue was exuding. (Wood, 2004, p.) As result to the subjects traumatic brain injury there
were observed differences of frontal functions. Prior to injury he was considered to be a quiet,
mild mannered person. The agitation displayed in the early recovery period had subsided but,
with the passage of time, the family became increasingly aware that their relative had changed.
(Wood, 2004, p.331) These functional differences took a toll on the patient’s life in many areas
such as family life, friend life, and overall simple daily routine and activity.
The patient received adequate amount of professional help, however had long term
support and care from family and loved ones. Unlike most rehabilitation cases this man’s
recovery did not consist of a lot of medical or clinical, however support from family assisted
greatly in his recovery. The patient lived with his parents for nine years and then moved to
independent accommodation. They continued to support him financially and gave him advice,
direction and encouragement when necessary. (Wood, 2004, p.335) Over the course of eighteen
years the patient is able to live a normative life which shows that rehabilitation is possible with
alternative methods. This study correlates with my research in that it views a possible pathway to
the cure for traumatic brain injuries. This passage follows the pathway of recovery closely to
show a better understanding of the process. In the end of the article the results show that the
patient was able to marry and be happy despite the difficult journey towards this point.

This study focuses on the pharmaceutical side of treatment and reintegration of post
traumatic brain injury patients. The target of this study is frontal lobe injuries which display
cognitive impairment and personality differences, as well as delirium. The patient in this study
also was subject to alcoholism and drug use. The medicine study was also prolonged due to the
patient’s previous history, which shows that patients current lifestyle choices can affect the
healing process and length for the patient to recover. The patient continued posturing behaviors
or acting out when he was directed to engage in physical therapy or challenged mentally. He
required placement in an Omni bed for safety to contain his aggression. (Sugden, 2006, p.4)
These symptoms show signs of detoxing as well as traumatic brain injury making treatment more
strenuous and lengthened. Not only does this study reveal a pharmacological perspective of
treatment, but it also shows how person’s life choices previous to injury can alter the kind of cure
necessary.
This study correlates with my with my research question in that it focuses on the
betterment and integration post traumatic brain injury. This study shows the medical aspect of
integration and allows for comparison of multiple therapeutic integration methods, such as
therapy and home rehabilitation. This piece of research gives the overall topic of the paper an
interesting outlook of the patient and medicine dynamic. This also conflicts well with the
previous research in so that clinically medical help was used throughout the regression of the
patients help instead of the minimum help like the eighteen year case study. Therefore, by
comparing and contrasting the positive and negative aspects of both studies a holistic approach
can be discovered to better the chances of patient recovery in such cases.
To further delve into the realm of healing I believe that viewing all aspects of the
component is the most effective way to insure full rehabilitation. Dealing with the healing of the

brain more intrinsically by dealing with neurons and ions that affect the functioning of the brain
provide a deeper insight of what is actually effected in a traumatic brain injury. In a way the art
of this study is to attempt at solving the problem at its root. The researchers in thus study found
what it is that is affected in the brain chemically and have made the attempt to fix the
neurological connections and chemicals that, in hope, can reintegrate the post-traumatic brain
injury patient. This study correlates with my research in the fact that it gives light to another
method that may fully reintegrate individuals that have suffered from frontal lobe personality
deficiency. The goal of my study is to find cures such as this that does work that may be able to
come together and fully rehabilitate patients to the best state of mind, body, and personality.
This more so scientific article also gives strength to what actually goes on with in the
patient internally and helps to answer the why question as to why the personality of the patient is
so different and what the head injury actually does to the patient besides visual physical damage.
This further understanding of the inner aspect of the brain and its components give furthers
understanding for the patient and family and add to the holistic aspect of care. With the
knowledge on how to help regenerate and rehabilitate the patient internally alongside the
therapeutic and clinical methods mentioned in other studies makes for a better chance at
discovery for a holistic rehabilitation method that can cover all bases of traumatic brain injuries.
This study discusses the counselor aspect and hand in patient reintegration post traumatic
brain injury. The study shows different cases and experiences of patients and families affected by
traumatic brain injuries. This study delves into the personal therapeutic realm allowing insight on
a less medicinal and more hands on approach to reintegration. This study correlates with my
research in the fact that it goes along with reintegration of patients that have experienced
traumatic brain injuries.

All of the previous studies introduced are mainly medical interventions, such as medicine or
physical rehabilitation. This study will give the psychological assessment feel of rehabilitation
allowing for the cognitive and psychosocial aspect of the injury to be more closely dealt with.
The cases of the different psychologists and their separate perspectives give light of the second
hand feel of traumatic brain injuries. This leads to treatment diversity, as well as a non-medicinal
method to healing. This may be more affordable and natural for patients dealing with traumatic
brain injuries. Furthermore, this external outlook on rehabilitation alongside previous studies
leads to more holistic methods of treatment in essence treating the mind and body.
In every new method or discover there are failures before the ultimate success as there is
possibility for in this research. Multiple things can become a limiting factors with in this
research, such as patient’s willingness to get better and personal care. If the patient does not
work with those who are trying to better them then it is almost impossible to assist in their
healing process. The finances and resources of those sick also can be a limiting factor in the
healing process, however, in the research there is a non-professional alternative to healing as
well. Although each individual is different and the traumatic brain injury itself can differently
affect patients the goal is to discover a holistic method of rehabilitation that may essentially help
all kinds of patients and symptoms.
The man who was followed for eighteen years displayed how family can be a positive
help and an enabling crutch at the same time. Family support is indeed the key to this process
trending positively, however if the family is to coddling then the patient is not pushed nor treated
as to where a clinician would be more realistic and blunt with care methods. Although Wood’s
article shows that family care is a method that can over time lead to a positive life. Over all a
holistic balance of would allow for a quicker and more effective treatment plan.

Furthermore, a patient’s personal choices in life such as health care or any other aspect
can deter the length and positivity of the correlations in brain injury rehabilitation. As seen in the
study with the recovering man with an alcoholic past. It was seen that the process of detoxing
alongside the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury made further complications and a prolonging
of his treatment and progression. Furthermore, the increased anxiety and tension made the
patient more combative creating another hindrance in his care. These facts conclude that the state
and personal choices of a patient prior to the traumatic brain injury can strongly impact there rate
of rehabilitation and state during recovery.
When dealing with the chemical makeup of a subject and their brain the functioning of
the entire individual can either increase positively or spiral downward substantially. The ionic
balance whether diluted hypertonic or hypotonic has to be measured and monitored in order to
ensure that the problem is not being worsened by further chemical imbalance. Therefore, the lack
of rigidity and care displayed in the performance of this rehabilitation method can lead to
chemical imbalance and worsening if not hindering the healing process. However, with the
adequate attention and care alongside other methods of care such as therapy and clinical care, the
patient can reach normative living conditions post traumatic brain injury.
My goal in this rehabilitative method is to better patients holistically by encompassing
them entirely mind and body. This includes counseling with in group therapy, family therapy,
and individual therapeutic sessions. Through observation of several cases and sessions it is
visible that the counselors approach, method, and visible support is extremely important when
dealing with an emotionally unstable traumatic brain injury patient. The lack of support and
positive reinforcement from a clinician can deepen the anger and depression of the patient at

hand. The therapist has the very ability to better their patient substantially or limit their
rehabilitation progress by their actions and disposition throughout sessions.
Method
All of the participants in my study are documents and articles found through computer
based research. To find articles that fit my path of research I used the credible database
Psychinfo. While on Psychinfo I searched traumatic brain injury with the “and” choice and
changed the topics to better contrast my information. I contrasted my information with family,
pharmaceuticals, clinical, therapeutic, and other methods of treatment in order to gain the most
diverse range. The total number of articles that I found fit to support my research were fifteen.
These articles fit the question and answer that is sought for the research. The major
demographics of the study are patients and all of the patients have been subjected to traumatic
brain injuries. The demographics range in age, gender, and race to allow for the overall matter of
searching for a holistic approach to rehabilitation.
Article: Development and validation of the Caregiver Empowerment Scale: A resource for
working with family caregivers of persons with traumatic brain injury.
Author: Degeneffe
Rationale: This article assists my research by displaying methods of bettering care for patients to
from home, as well as, adding to the ways to better care for traumatic brain injuries.
Article: Traumatic brain injury: Unmet support needs of caregivers and families in Florida.
Author: Dillahunt-Aspillaga

Rationale: This article gives in depth views of family and patient’s view of care. This insight
gives better knowledge to what needs to be done better in the future to improve care.
Article: Early intervention for patients at risk for persisting disability after mild traumatic brain
injury: A randomized, controlled study
Author: Matuseviciene
Rationale: This article discusses methods to insure the best care, which in this case is immediate
care. Quickly assessing the issue alongside other medical, clinical, and therapeutic methods
allow for the best care.
Article: Psychotherapeutic Interventions with Traumatically Brain-Injured Patients
Author: Cicerone
Rationale: This article delves into the more so therapeutic methods of treatment which is
seemingly new to studies and adds a good diversity to my study while executing problems found
with in personality disturbances in patients.
Article: Healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards traumatic brain injury (TBI): The influence
of profession, experience, etiology and blame on prejudice towards survivors of brain injury.
Author: Redpath
Rationale: This article shows the clinicians perspective of traumatic brain injuries. This article
also displays how treatment and healing can vary based upon how the injury was obtained.
Article: Inpatient rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury: The inﬂuence of age on treatments and
outcomes
Author: Dijkers

Rationale: This article displays how age can diversify the outcomes of treatment. With this
information treatments and situations can be modified to better accommodate the patients.
Article: Psychotherapeutic treatment of survivors of traumatic brain injury: Review of the
literature and special considerations
Author: Block
Rationale: This literary review gives a special outside opinion on the care taking methods for
traumatic brain injury patients and allows for further critique of patient care.
Article: Encouraging family engagement in the rehabilitation process: a rehabilitation provider’s
development of support strategies for family members of people with traumatic brain injury
Author: Foster
Rationale: Throughout my studies with this topic family support has been seen as a constant and
important factor and this article assists in the strengthening of the familt dynamic.
Article: Communication patterns in a psychotherapy following traumatic brain injury: A
quantitative case study based on symbolic dynamics
Author: Rapp
The patterns of psychotherapy sessions and what goes on with in this fairly new method of
treatment allows for a mind and body approach for the patients.
Article: A dual-task home-based rehabilitation programme for improving balance control in
patients with acquired brain injury: a single-blind, randomized controlled pilot study
Author: Peirone

Rationale: Although this study assists by describing methods of treating traumatic brain injuries
physical effects such as equilibrium. This article also, indirectly, shows the need and importance
of family care.
Article: The provision of emotional support to the families of traumatic brain injury patients:
Perspectives of Finnish nurses.
Author: Coco
Rationale: This article supports the trend that family support is important, but also gives the
helpful clinical perspective on how an idea such as family support, assists in better rehabilitation
outcomes of patients with traumatic brain injuries.
I began by brainstorming how exactly I felt that it would be the best method to solve my
question in the most realistic manner. First I compared my previous clinical knowledge with
psychosocial issues and more specifically traumatic brain injuries. With this prior clinical and
psychological knowledge I came to the conclusion that a holistic method of care would be the
most beneficial for long term rehabilitation. Then with this gathered conclusion; I began to
search different methods of rehabilitation to find the best methods of each realm from medicinal
to therapeutic. I was searching for a very diverse group of rehabilitation methods to best assist
my claim. After all of my data and articles were collected I then compared and contrasted the
articles and made sure each aspect touch every aspect of the individual inside and out, as well as,
physically and mentally. I did this by composing a list of questions, see in appendix, which
delved into all the realms that I wanted to be experienced by with in the holistic rehabilitation
process. The trending conclusion with all the studies was a positive correlation with family

support and rehabilitation, therefore, my method of cure is holism with adequate positive
reinforcement.
Results
Is it possible to return the frontal lobe injury patients to their normative personality post
traumatic brain injury? The question at hand is not inquiring if one can be healed, because
naturally the human body heals itself without further intervention. However, the question seeks
for the method that can heal a patient timely, and holistically. This research question correlates
with my career path choice in many ways. As my career choice I plan to continue upon the route
of becoming a medical doctor with focus in traumatic surgery. A traumatic brain injury can result
in personality changes, such as increased anger and disassociation. My question is an actual
research topic that I could further as I delve into my career. I conducted this study to see if
traumatic brain injuries can be cured and what is the most effective method of rehabilitation.
I analyzed my data points to allow further observation to the answers that my study
provided me with. The first data point is named primary source, which is the primary perspective
of the injury from the patient themselves. This data point was broken down into physical,
cognitive, personality, and psychosocial changes of the patient. My transcripts provided that 28%
of the patients experienced physical changes, 17.8% presented with cognitive changes, 21.4%
displayed personality changes, and 28% psychosocial. Emotional reactions after injury appear
particularly related to the recognition of reduced competencies and, more generally, a sense of
loss of self. (Cicerone, 1989, p. 106) Post traumatic brain injury patients deal with chemical,
physical, and psychological issues. This imminent change brings confusion and depression
imagine your entire life changing with in moments. The second data point is named secondary
source, because the secondary source of the patients experience is the family experience, in my

opinion. The secondary source data point is broken down into fear, stress, and changes which
depicts instances that the family notice in the patient post injury. Fear presented 10%, stress
30%, and changes 60% of the family’s perspective of the injury. Catastrophic reactions may be
present during the acute phase of injury, and marked by anger, agitation, and emotional outbursts
in response to an immediate confrontation rather than persistent anxiety or emotional discomfort.
These reactions can dissipate quickly, as though lacking a component of cognitive appraisal.
Emotional difficulties frequently increase over time. (Cicerone, 1989, p. 106) Although this
aligns with the issues that the patient has to deal with directly, these actions affects the family
and close companions directly as well. The family needs education, support, and courage to be
able to take on such a huge change in the life of their family member and their own. The third
data point is notice, which expounds on the type of change the family or clinician notices in the
patient categorized in physical and emotional changes. The population of family and clinicians
noticed 66.7% emotional changes and 33.3% physical changes. My fourth data point is clinical
source and the clinical shows what aspect of family is necessary in the rehabilitation approach in
the transcript from a clinical standpoint. The points were no family at 7.14%, family support at
50% and family concern at 42.8 percent. Next as fifth is Family support which displays the need
of family support in the actual course of treatment with no family at 6.2%, mainly family needed
at 25% and a combination of family support alongside another method at 62.5%.
My analysis of 12 studies shows the main reasons why family support in combination with
medicinal and therapeutic treatment is key to rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury patients.
My research question is, is it possible to return frontal lobe injury patients to their normative
personality post traumatic brain injury. The research I gathered supported the answering of my
question alongside the path of family support in association with healing methods. I gathered a

very diverse group of data filled articles from therapies to pharmacological to care perspectives.
The point of data diversification was to first find a the best forms of treatments in every
perspective of rehabilitation so that together the best of several may come together and be able to
holistically rehabilitate the patient. Furthermore, the diversity of pathways to rehabilitation also
displayed a common ground, family involvement. Family input is a strong aspect in all methods
of rehabilitation. Studies show that family support solely without any other further treatment
works positively for 25% of the measured traumatic brain injury population. No family support
was only successful for a seemingly strong 6.2% of individuals. Furthermore, family support
with other treatment worked for the majority 62.5 %. These studies show the impact of family
and support in the healing process of traumatic brain injury patients. The article that displays this
most is the eighteen year case study of a young man whose family mainly supported his care and
only uses minimal clinical care. Each data point brings the central theme of holistic treatment
and family involvement together. The first, second, and third data point allow the reader to gain
insight to the common themes of the patient’s circumstances and how the injury effects ones
surrounding the patient as well. The fourth, fifth, and sixth data points collected information
pertaining to each articles family involvement necessary for successful rehabilitation. These
three points brought the conclusion that no matter clinical, medical, or therapeutic most studies
concur that family support is important. The therapeutic relationship, setting, rationale, and
procedures together provide the patient with opportunities for new learning and experiencing,
and for developing awareness about their presumed and actual abilities. (Cicerone, 1989, p. 106)
This example from the therapeutic view point shows that the conclusion was not a full recovery,
but a step towards. 50% of articles found that there is yet to be a full cure for traumatic brain
injuries. However, 41.6% of the information supports a partial cure and only 8.3% claim to have

the ability to have full cures. This negative correlation to full cures creates motivation to attempt
the more holistic route to encompass more angles of treatment and to hopefully change the full
cure correlation positively. Majority of the articles research either found no cure or expressed a
step towards a cure. This holistic methodology of healing is my hope to bring full rehabilitation
to patients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. The seventh data point simply collected
data asking if studies have found full cure or are merely working towards total patient
reintegration. The eight data point contrasts the fourth through sixth asking if counseling with
family correspondence can fully cure the patient, which further proved the family necessity
notion. Therapeutic healing of solely counseling without mentioned family support or medicinal
support only was successful and present in 8.3% while the combination of counseling and family
with other methods is found to be total 91.7%. This extreme difference in numbers helps further
support the holistic importance in methods of care. The ninth and tenth data points delved into
the questioning of factors, medicinal and personal, that may hinder recovery. Here 81.8% of the
articles data support medicinal treatment by stating that medicine treatment does not add
negative correlations to healing. While only 18.8% show that medicine can have a negative
effect on the patient. However, this negative effect of medicine is seen to be related to the
patient’s personal life and its effects on their treatment. These personal effects can be drug use
prior to injury all the way to the patient’s willingness to take the measures of treatments to
ensure wellness. If a patient does not go to treatment of take their medicine or use therapeutic
methods then the possibility of healing is not likely. A combination of a dual-task home-based
program and traditional psychotherapy is likely to have more beneficial effect on balance
impairments than traditional psychotherapy alone in traumatic brain injury individuals. (Peirone,
2013, p.336) This article excerpt shows the positive influence of at home, family oriented, care

alongside therapeutic and clinical healing methods. The combination of holistic treatment broken
down into grouping shows that all methods separate are weak in comparison to them working
together holistically. Counseling and medicinal treatment alone work for 7.14% of the subjects
while family and counseling methods increase to help 28.6% of the data point. Whereas family
in combination with medicinal treatment solely is the highest percentage of the data at 42.8% and
of all the methods the holistic route was only attempted by 21.4% of the studies. The goal in
further studies will to be increase the amount that use the holistic methods of multiple routes of
treatment. The positive data correlation of family support alongside other methods shows that if
they are all pieced together to create an entire puzzle of wellness will better the chances of a
good life for patient post something as traumatic as a brain injury. Proving and supporting the
positive correlation of holistic care. In supporting conclusion, the eleventh data point separates
the possible and mentioned pathways of rehabilitation to show the best working method and
further prove that family support is a key portion in healing. Taking care of the mind separate
from the body, or vice versa, will only lead to slight personal betterment for the patient.
However, as correlation in studies show that alongside family support, holistic treatment is the
way to reach the long yearned full rehabilitation.
Discussion
The larger theme and true ideal of my research is “the true meaning of healing”. Many
individuals go to their doctor, local hospital, or psychiatrist with the ultimate goal; to be healed.
However, many individuals find themselves returning from, “treatment” still dealing with the
same ailment or not completely and entirely healed. This does not necessarily mean that the
professional in question is not performing their job, but just not to their fullest ability. As an
employee at a local hospital I am able to witness many patients come, go, and return due to non-

holistic care and support during healing. My study delves deeper than the logistics of a traumatic
brain injury and methods of healing, but leads to the question as to what does it mean to be
healed. Is true healing solely in medications and scientific components that interact with the
body’s cells and hormones to alter them to rid the body of what may be harming it? Or, is the
meaning of healing excavating one’s deepest feelings and thought to a professional or group of
individuals seeking for support, validation, and guided paths. Furthermore, one may ask; does
healing necessarily need professional guidance, can the family unit provide help that ultimately
leads to healing. In the end all of these separate questions of healing are dealing with separate
realms of what we know as healing. Therefore, as found in my results holistic family care and
treatment lead to the best care. It is proven that patients respond to treatments best when all
aspects of the patients physical, emotional, and chemical is treated.
The true meaning of healing is to holistically cure oneself. Specifically meaning all
realms and aspects of the body instead of just focusing solely on one centrally prominent issue.
In the case of traumatic brain injuries one may regain cognitive abilities, lose symptoms of pain,
and regain mobility and still not be cured entirely. The true meaning healing is to find a method
of healing that fixes not only the wounds, but the person affected by them. All of the researched
articles speak on how the best rehabilitation results are shown when multiple methods of
treatment are initiated in order to best assist the patient to lead a normative life. The therapeutic
aspect mentioned reaches the patients emotion and cognitive. This healing can assist in
depression and heighten will of the patient to cooperate with healing. Furthermore, this aspect
can help the patient deal with their situation and work in support groups for support and stability.
The medicinal aspect can delve in the chemical compound of the patient’s brain to alter the
function positively from what damage that may have been caused from the injury. Family is seen

to be a largely important aspect dealing with traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. The assistance
of the family and their personal care and support in the patient’s most difficult times make for a
positive healing. This truly is the true meaning of healing; positive holistic care.
My research is of the medical sorts, however the social problem that is brings to surface
is family structure and support. This social problem, in my opinion, is more so an American
issue. The family dynamic in many cases in the American home is not tightly knitted nor fully
supportive. The family unit is more so prized within other cultures where everyone is close, not
only with their immediate unit, but extended family as well. As an employee of a hospital setting
I have witnessed countless moments where patients have no visitors nor support. This occurs
way too often and is extremely devastating to witness. As humans we yearn and thrive off of
love and companionship in more forms than one. The family unit in America is weak in many
areas and this weakness is prevalent within my research of traumatic brain injury rehabilitation.
Family support is seen to be the missing link that a medical professional cannot provide with a
prescription. It is noticed that patients that are fortunate to have supportive families heal faster
and remain rehabilitated and able to function normatively. The suggestion in the articles are that
this domestic support should be given to the patient in order to lead to better healing. However,
the overall social issue that arises is that family support has to be suggested or recommended for
better health. If the family structure was pieced together correctly this missing link to any nature
of care would be placed already. Family support does not cost monetarily nor should it be a hard
task. If the family unit was strong and durable than the rate of positive patient rehabilitation
would rise substantially.
Social policy are seen as regulations created by higher authorities that are often created in
what a higher group may believe is best for the masses. However, throughout time is has been

noticed, time upon time, that these policies are either out dated or are not congruent with the
masses. Furthermore, many policies may be too lenient or not enforced enough to even be
effective. I believe policies of the medical realm are durable and well thought of, however, I do
believe that in many cases such policies are not enforced or they are looked over. Within in the
healthcare field policies are set to keep competency levels up to par and to ensure that adequate
care and support is given to the patients at all times. Yet, this is not the always the case too often.
At times care providers simply go through the motions of their occupation without adding the
care portion of treatment. This lack is noticed by the patient and gives the notion that if my
provider does not care then why I should as the patient care about getting well, and how would I
as a patient feel confident that I will be fully rehabilitated with partial care. Competency policies
if not placed also need to be enforced, because if the provider is not knowledgeable of what the
patient is in need of and going through then the patient will not be receiving adequate care.
Therefore, better monitoring or incentives to healthcare providers to better exercise such policies
will lead to solving healthcare issues of traumatic brain injuries and beyond,
As previously expounded upon, the true meaning of healing is a compound of several
aspects including family, clinicians, and much more. However, one theme that is needed of all of
these aspects is understanding or cognition. Indeed the route of the issue is traumatic brain
injuries which are seemingly biological, and the method of healing entails holism, but the
understanding of the situation and what is needed creates for the best and most effective method
of healing. Cognitive psychology is the acquiring and processing information. Although
difficulties with cognition post traumatic brain injury is one of the many affects that are
associated with traumatic brain injuries; this is not the reason cognition is the overall theme.
With traumatic brain injuries come the need for understanding and processing the situation and

what is actually going on and needed from all realms of care. The family needs to first process
the situation and fully understand their emotions, the injury itself, and what their role is in
bettering their love one. As a clinician whether therapeutic or medical a bases of knowledge
needs to be previously processed to the fullest extent. If the individual that is presumed skilled in
a topic is not fully learned in the skillset and problem then full rehabilitation is not possible.
Cognitive traits are extremely necessary in the process and routine to best benefiting and healing
the traumatic brain injury patient. The ideal method to initiate such ideal holistic methods of
healing would be to implement education of what the injury is and what is needed from each
spectrum. Families should be educated on what to expect and how to not only deal with the
injury, but all healing methods to see what may best fit their family member. Clinicians not only
need understanding of how to treat the ailment, but how to treat the patient and add the needed
encouragement and additional support that studies say is helpful in treatment.
Although cognition is the route theory of this methodology of healing many components
are visible that create the holistic ideal of healing. “The lack of adequate services and supports
available supports available for caregivers and their families places them at an increased risk of
depression, frustration, anxiety, and burden”. (Dillahunt-Aspillaga, pg2) To compensate for this
lacking a holistic care plan should be initiated to best serve the patient, clinicians, and family.
This holistic ideal of healing delves into the ideals of humanistic psychology. The clinicians
benefit by be able to focus more on a specific aspect of care, such as medicinally or
therapeutically. The shared work load of care allows for the patient to feel more cared for and
will build moral and give the family a more soothing feeling that their family member is being
taken well care of while lessening their work load at home. Furthermore, in collaboration with
group therapies and individual sessions the patient is able to not only find their issues

conquerable, but discover that they are not alone in their situation allowing for a decrease in
depression and a build in moral. A critical thought process is also appreciated in such
circumstances where the quality of someone’s life in at hand. The ability to analyze the entire
situation and separate what is working from what is not to increase positive rehabilitation rates
set standers for great care.
Hopefully, the future allots for me to be able to regenerate this research again. If I was
able to do this research project again, I would add many different aspects to better support my
idea. I would hopefully be able to conduct the research on a more professional scale, and include
others to increase the thought process. I would hope to add human participants to be able to
experience the different methods of healing individually and groups that would experience the
holistic method of healing. The comparison of the single method healing versus the multiple
method technique will be able to display the full benefits of holistic healing. Furthermore, I wish
to collaborate with physicians, nurses, therapists, and involved family members to gain better
views of their perspective of the situation. With a better view of their position I can implement
way to build a stronger to team that can work better together for the betterment of the patient. I
believe a more hands on approach to this study alongside more testable resources will allow for
more concrete findings and implementation in the medical field. Alongside the more improved
resources and candidates other than dated research sources, time would allow for an increase
insight on the healing process and the different dynamics between family, caregiver, and
patients. With all of these new onsets in addition to my original idea this study has the ability to
better many lives and heal any individuals and families alike. Not just those affected by
traumatic brain injuries, but of many other ailments.

I am confident that my results answer my research question to an extent. I believe that my
research has bridged a way to the ultimate cure, however has not revealed the cure. Unless, the
cure to traumatic brain injuries is the combination of treatments and support methods that I have
concluded to be better for patients. This conclusion could only be further proven through more
studies with patients of various backgrounds, ages, injury causes, and other compelling factors.
However, even though my results do not find an exact cure for traumatic brain injuries my
findings do support for a better method of holistic rehabilitation. Family, support and positive
clinician support and reinforcement, alongside, the positive aspects of the different spectrums of
rehabilitation, such as psychotherapeutic counseling and medications with positive outcomes will
treat the patient better than any one single method. My method of care does not just stop at
traumatic brain injuries, but holistically healing the patient through mind and body inside and out
makes for a more likely cure that with no return rate.

References
Block, C. K., & West, S. E. (2013). Psychotherapeutic treatment of survivors of traumatic brain
injury: Review of the literature and special considerations. Brain Injury, 27(7-8), 775-788.
doi:10.3109/02699052.2013.775487
Degeneffe, C. E., Chan, F., Dunlap, L., Man, D., & Sung, C. (2011). Development and validation
of the Caregiver Empowerment Scale: A resource for working with family caregivers of persons
with traumatic brain injury. Rehabilitation Psychology, 56(3), 243-250. doi:10.1037/a0024465
Dijkers, M., Brandstater, M., Horn, S., Ryser, D., & Barrett, R. (2013). Inpatient rehabilitation
for traumatic brain injury: The influence of age on treatments and outcomes.
Neurorehabilitation,32(2), 233-252
Dillahunt-Aspillaga, C., Jorgensen-Smith, T., Ehlke, S., Sosinski, M., Monroe, D., & Thor, J.
(2013). Traumatic brain injury: Unmet support needs of caregivers and families in Florida. Plos
ONE, 8(12), doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0082896
Foster, A. M., Armstrong, J., Buckley, A., Sherry, J., Young, T., Foliaki, S., & ... McPherson, K.
M. (2012). Encouraging family engagement in the rehabilitation process: A rehabilitation
provider’s development of support strategies for family members of people with traumatic brain
injury. Disability And Rehabilitation: An International, Multidisciplinary Journal, 34(22), 1855-
1862. doi:10.3109/09638288.2012.670028

Matuseviciene, G., Borg, J., Stålnacke, B., Ulfarsson, T., & de Boussard, C. (2013). Early
intervention for patients at risk for persisting disability after mild traumatic brain injury: A
randomized, controlled study. Brain Injury, 27(3), 318-324. doi:10.3109/02699052.2012.750740
Peirone, E., Goria, P. F., & Anselmino, A. (2014). A dual-task home-based rehabilitation
programme for improving balance control in patients with acquired brain injury: A single-blind,
randomized controlled pilot study. Clinical Rehabilitation, 28(4), 329-338.
Rapp, P. E., Cellucci, C. J., Gilpin, A. K., Jiménez-Montaño, M. A., & Korslund, K. E. (2011).
Communication patterns in a psychotherapy following traumatic brain injury: A quantitative
case study based on symbolic dynamics. BMC Psychiatry,11doi:10.1186/1471-244X-11-119
Redpath, S. J., Williams, W. H., Hanna, D., Linden, M. A., Yates, P., & Harris, A. (2010).
Healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards traumatic brain injury (TBI): The influence of
profession, experience, aetiology and blame on prejudice towards survivors of brain injury.
Brain Injury, 24(6), 802-811. doi:10.3109/02699051003709623
Sugden, S., Kile, S., Farrimond, D., Hilty, D., & Bourgeois, J. (2006). Pharmacological
intervention for cognitive deficits and aggression in frontal lobe injury. Neurorehabilitation,
21(1), 3-7.
Rapp, P. E., Cellucci, C. J., Gilpin, A. K., Jiménez-Montaño, M. A., & Korslund, K. E. (2011).
Communication patterns in a psychotherapy following traumatic brain injury: A quantitative
case study based on symbolic dynamics. BMC Psychiatry,11doi:10.1186/1471-244X-11-119

Tables
Combination of Treatments
Counceling and Medicinal
Family and Counceling
Family and Medicinal
Family, Council, and Medicinal

Needed Family Support
Yes Family
No Family
Combination with Family

Clinical view on Family Support
No Family needed
Family Support needed
Family Concern

Appendix
Questions
1. What is your experience as the patient with the traumatic brain injury, and how has it altered
what you know as your daily interactions with others?
2. What is your experience as the family and surrounding individuals of the patient with the
traumatic brain injury?
3. As the family and surrounding individuals of the individual with the traumatic brain injury
what difference could you notice post injury?
4. What is your experience and take of the family and patient dynamic as the professional
clinician?
5. Does support and family assistance work just as well or better than the medical route?
6. As a clinician do you believe someone can be healed with solely medical intervention?
7. Is there a full cure for a frontal lobe traumatic brain injury, or is the patient only brought to a
peaceful state of function?
8. Is counseling solely enough to reintegrate a patient to a normative personality state?
9. Is there a negative effect of the medication route and if so is it worth the positives of the
treatment?
10. Does the patient’s personal life and habits effect the treatment and possibility of reintegration
of the patient?
11. What combinations of treatment is the most effective to giving the patient the most normal
life?

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