Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 27, 2026
Detecting Behavioral Deficits in Rats After Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 30, 2018
STEP-Home Improves Neurobehavioral Symptoms and Reintegration in Veterans With TBI and Differentially Impacts Anger
Caroline A Sablone1, Michelle M Pebole, Emily J Van Etten
1Author Affiliations: Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders National Network Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts (Ms Sablone, Dr Pebole, Dr Van Etten, Mr Lebas, Dr Kenna, Mr Katz, Ms Hursh, Ms Currao, Dr Fonda, and Dr Fortier); Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Fonda, and Dr Fortier); National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA (Dr Fortier) and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (Drs Pebole and Fortier).
The STEP-Home (SH) group workshop improved neurobehavioral symptoms and readjustment for post-9/11 Veterans with and without traumatic brain injury (TBI). Veterans with TBI also showed better anger control, with benefits sustained long-term.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Post-9/11 Veterans often experience neurobehavioral symptoms and readjustment challenges.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can exacerbate these difficulties, impacting daily functioning.
- Effective interventions are needed to support this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the STEP-Home (SH) group workshop.
- To assess improvements in neurobehavioral symptoms, civilian readjustment, anger control, and frontal system function.
- To compare outcomes in post-9/11 Veterans with and without a history of TBI.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of a 2-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 66 post-9/11 Veterans.
- Participants were divided into groups based on TBI diagnosis (TBI+ n=28, TBI- n=38).
- The SH intervention was a 12-week, skills-based group focusing on problem-solving, emotion regulation, and anger control.
Main Results:
- Both TBI+ and TBI- groups showed significant improvements in neurobehavioral symptoms and reintegration status.
- Frontal system function also improved in both groups.
- Anger control significantly improved only in the TBI+ group, with sustained benefits over time.
Conclusions:
- The STEP-Home intervention is a promising transdiagnostic treatment for Veterans with and without TBI.
- It effectively improves neurobehavioral symptoms and readjustment, with sustained benefits.
- The intervention particularly benefits Veterans with TBI by improving anger control, crucial for functional recovery.
