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Brain Injury Diagnosis & Treatment
How are traumatic brain injuries diagnosed, and what treatment is recommended for concussions and other brain injuries?
Dr. Sandel’s talk at the University of Pittsburgh
On August 19, Dr. Sandel gave a talk to the PM&R residents, fellows, and faculty at the University of Pittsburgh, about the history of the medical specialty.
The site visit also included meetings with many of the faculty and trainees, and tours of the Human Engineering and Research Laboratories and the Rehabilitation and Neural Engineering Laboratories, where cutting edge biomedical and clinical research, and inventions to help people with disabilities have been ongoing for decades.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Growth from the 1940s to 2025: The US Government’s Role
PM&R or physiatry, a very small medical field in the 1940s, seemed destined to remain small, if not disappear. Over time, the growth curve did become steeper. The US Government, beginning in the Progressive Era, was a significant contributor to that growth, directly and indirectly, benefiting people with disabilities of all ages .
Federal Funding for TBI Research, Education, and Prevention: Maybe Some Good News
In April 2025, devastating news emerged about CDC funding for TBI programs, with key staff positions eliminated and no federal TBI funding through reauthorization. However, this challenging period has shifted. On May 21, 2026, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize federal TBI program funding until 2029.
AMA Hub offers Concussion CME
The AMA Ed Hub has posted the CME program produced by Dr. Sandel and Concussion Alliance.
Is There a Connection Between Mild TBI and Mental Health Disorders in Adults and Children?
In a recent study, researchers at Kaiser Permanente found that risks for affective and behavioral disorders were significantly higher in the years post-injury for children and adolescents with a history of mTBI—especially for 10- to 13-year-olds. They emphasize the importance of regular interval screening for affective and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents who sustain a mild TBI. This post includes a slide presentation and Q & A with two of the researchers, Richard Delmonico, PhD, and Brian Theodore, PhD.
Concussion Alliance Co-Founders Interviewed for Slate Article
More and more journalists are writing about concussion, in many cases because they have had a concussion themselves or have friends or relatives who have experienced one. In March, 2024, Isobel Whitcomb interviewed Concussion Alliance co-founders Conor Gormally and Malayka Gormally for an article in Slate. It is concerning that bad medical advice (“just rest”) is still being given to concussion patients as is clear in Whitcomb’s story.
Concussion Care Highlighted in The Atlantic and Bloomberg News
I collaborated recently with Conor Gormally of Concussion Alliance to advocate for individualized and comprehensive concussion care in mainstream news stories with journalists who recounted personal stories of concussion. Here’s what The Atlantic and Bloomberg published.
The 6th International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport–What’s New?
The Statement summarizes scientific research and provides some updated recommendations for athletes at risk for concussions. But, it’s been mired in controversy regarding the strict criteria governing which research was included. Read Dr. Sandel’s insights into the process and conclusions.
What Is Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy?
Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT) is an evidence-based approach to addressing multiple cognitive impairments caused by a traumatic brain injury. Restorative CRT strengthens cognitive abilities, and compensatory CRT provides strategies to reduce the impact of deficits.
Patient-Centered Concussion Care
Presenting to the physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) residents at the UC Davis School of Medicine sparked a lively exchange about patient-centered concussion care. Learn more about the challenges and possibilities for transforming concussion care.
Three Alternative Treatment Modalities to Ease Brain Injury Associated Symptoms
Conventional treatments like medications may not help symptoms after a brain injury. Complementary or alternative treatments may help.
Check the Neck after a Brain Injury
Whiplash and cervical strain occurs when a person’s head and neck are forced back and forth, injuring soft tissues of the neck. They are common after brain injuries.
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