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Thesis
Investigating the risk of traumatic brain injury during Army pre-deployment training
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
May 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011019
Abstract
Given the high frequency of traumatic brain injury (TBI) during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, much is known about combat-related TBI. However, most recorded TBIs occur in non-deployed settings, where soldiers engage in activities that carry similar TBI risks to those faced by civilians, and routinely engage in operational training activities that mimic combat. To better understand the risk of TBI during training specifically, data was gathered on both diagnosed and undiagnosed training-related TBIs in 61 U.S. Army veterans. The prevalence and number of training-related TBIs compared to non-training-related TBIs, including diagnosed and undiagnosed training cases, were analyzed. Common symptoms and causes of diagnosed and undiagnosed training-related TBIs were identified and the relationship between TBI setting (training vs. non-training) and diagnostic status was assessed. Lastly, the demographic and military factors associated with the presence and number of total, diagnosed, and undiagnosed training-related TBIs were evaluated. The prevalence of training-related TBI was comparable to that of non-training-related TBI, with undiagnosed training-related TBI cases significantly outnumbering diagnosed ones. Headache, dizziness, and visual disturbances were the most commonly reported symptoms, regardless of diagnostic status. Military vehicle crashes were the leading cause of diagnosed training-related TBIs, while falls were most common among undiagnosed cases. TBIs sustained during training were no more or less likely to be diagnosed than TBIs sustained in non-training settings. Consistent predictors of training-related TBI included having more than one pre-deployment training cycle and serving in the Army for over six years. These results underscore the importance of probing for training-related injuries, regardless of deployment history, and can potentially inform training protocols and treatment strategies.
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Details
- Title
- Investigating the risk of traumatic brain injury during Army pre-deployment training
- Creators
- Nicole J. Eng
- Contributors
- Maria Teresa Schultheis (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- ix, 62 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022058938004721