Indiana University Aims to Adapt VA Telehealth Network to Treatment of Brain Injuries

Researchers from Indiana University Medical Center and the Department of Veterans Affairs will be looking at how to adapt the VA’s extensive telemedicine network to assess and treat veterans with mild traumatic brain injuries. Mobile technologies likely will be a key part of the process.

The VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Service has presented a five-year, $920,000 career development award to Jacob Kean, visiting assistant research professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at IU Medical Center in Indianapolis. About 180,000 veterans of recent wars have suffered mild to moderate brain injury in service, according to the VA. Some 10 to 20 percent of them experience ongoing symptoms, including chronic headaches, lack of concentration, depression and sleeplessness.