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Updated: Sep 26, 2025
Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 5, 2014
The Impact of Complementary and Integrative Medicine Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review
Sonya Kim1, Marianne H Mortera, Pey-Shan Wen
1Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine (Drs Kim and Sasson) and Neurology (Dr Kim), New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York; Department of Occupational Therapy, New York University, NYU Steinhardt, New York (Dr Mortera); Department of Occupational Therapy, Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing & Health Professions, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Wen); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Dr Thompson), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Ms Wright); Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of North Carolina Greensboro (Dr Lundgren); School of Health Professions, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham (Dr Reed); Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Health Care System, New York (Dr Sasson); Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (Drs Vora and Chin); Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Krishnan); Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (Mr Joseph); Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado at Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus (Dr Heyn); and College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids (Dr Chin).
Nonpharmacologic complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) shows positive benefits for traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation. Further rigorous studies are needed to confirm these findings in TBI patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Integrative Health
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) presents complex challenges in rehabilitation.
- Nonpharmacologic complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) offers potential therapeutic avenues.
- Evidence for CIM in TBI rehabilitation requires systematic evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the evidence levels, study characteristics, and outcomes of CIM interventions for TBI.
- To synthesize findings from diverse study designs and populations undergoing TBI rehabilitation.
- To identify research gaps and guide future investigations in CIM for TBI.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines.
- Searched multiple databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library) for studies published 1992-2020.
- Included quantitative studies on CIM for TBI, excluding specific supplements and diets; 90 studies were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Ninety studies involving 57,001 patients were included, with 20% being randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Biofeedback/neurofeedback (40%), acupuncture (22%), yoga/tai chi (11%), meditation/mindfulness/relaxation (11%), and chiropractic/osteopathic manipulation (11%) were common CIM interventions.
- Positive benefits of CIM were reported in 97% of the included studies, particularly for physical impairments, mental health, and cognitive function.
Conclusions:
- Existing literature suggests positive benefits of CIM in TBI rehabilitation.
- The majority of studies reported favorable outcomes for various CIM modalities.
- More high-quality, rigorously designed studies, including RCTs, are necessary to substantiate these preliminary findings.
