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Brain Sciences
Special Issues
Accessing Treatment and Rehabilitation for Underserved Survivors of Brain Injury
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Accessing Treatment and Rehabilitation for Underserved Survivors of Brain Injury

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 May 2026) | Viewed by 1241

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Eve M. Valera

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
2. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Interests: traumatic brain injury; trauma rehabilitation; intimate partner violence; strangulation and concussion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite submissions for a Special Issue dedicated to exploring the critical issue of accessing treatment and rehabilitation for underserved populations who have sustained brain injuries, including women who have experienced partner violence, incarcerated individuals, and people experiencing homelessness. Brain injuries, whether mild or severe, present unique challenges for those already facing social, economic, and systemic barriers to healthcare. This Special Issue aims to bring together interdisciplinary perspectives on the multifaceted barriers to care for these vulnerable groups, such as the lack of resources, stigma, and fragmented healthcare systems. We encourage authors to submit original research, case studies, policy analyses, and theoretical frameworks that examine innovative approaches, challenges, and strategies for improving access to appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. By fostering a broader understanding of these issues, this Special Issue seeks to contribute to the development of more inclusive, equitable, and effective healthcare policies and practices for individuals with brain injuries from marginalized communities.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Healthcare.

Dr. Eve M. Valera
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • TBI
  • brain injury
  • partner violence
  • incarcerated
  • homeless
  • rehabilitation
  • strangulation
  • criminal justice system
  • barriers

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 762 KB  
Article
Modifiable Barriers to Assessment and Rehabilitation in Justice-Involved Individuals with Self-Reported TBI: The Role of Subjective Sleepiness and Mood
by Sarka Turecka Brown, Maddy Pontius, Jennifer Gallagher, Kim A. Gorgens, Gina Signoracci and Marybeth Lehto
Brain Sci. 2026, 16(5), 520; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci16050520 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Sleep problems, cognitive deficits, and mood disorders are prevalent in justice-involved populations, especially among individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI), though the association between these variables remains understudied. This retrospective study examined the relationship between subjective sleepiness and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Sleep problems, cognitive deficits, and mood disorders are prevalent in justice-involved populations, especially among individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI), though the association between these variables remains understudied. This retrospective study examined the relationship between subjective sleepiness and mood state on neuropsychological functioning in a forensic population with self-reported TBI. Methods: Data were obtained from 419 inmates and probationers with a self-reported history of TBI using the Ohio State University Traumatic Brain Injury Identification Method and Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM). Multiple linear regression models examined associations between cognitive performance across domains (i.e., reaction time, learning, attention, processing speed, working memory, delayed memory, and inhibition) and subjective sleepiness and mood states (i.e., depression, anxiety, fatigue, restlessness, anger, happiness, and vigor) measured by self-report scales embedded in the ANAM. Results: Negative mood state was most associated with impaired performance on tests of learning, delayed memory, spatial working memory, and reaction time, as well as global neurocognitive test performance. Subjective sleepiness was predictive of poorer performance on reaction time tasks, while positive mood states were related to better performance on the same task. Regression models were statistically significant (p < 0.05), with subjective sleepiness and mood accounting for approximately 1–5% of the variance in cognitive performance. Conclusions: Subjective sleepiness and mood symptoms are significantly related to cognitive performance among justice-involved individuals with self-reported TBI. While these factors can contribute to the need for rehabilitation, they may also reduce the likelihood of successful engagement. Importantly, both sleepiness and mood are modifiable treatment targets, and adapting interventions to accommodate cognitive inefficiencies can improve engagement and overall treatment benefit. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Accessing Treatment and Rehabilitation for Underserved Survivors of Brain Injury)
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Review

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21 pages, 371 KB  
Review
Existing and Potential Therapies for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms in Intimate Partner Violence: A Narrative Review
by Charlotte Copas, Abigail D. Astridge, Jennifer Makovec Knight, Stuart J. McDonald, Sandy R. Shultz and Georgia F. Symons
Brain Sci. 2026, 16(4), 398; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci16040398 - 8 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive medical concern affecting millions of people worldwide, with the majority being women. IPV is linked to a number of long-term physical and mental health consequences, including brain injuries and associated persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) and [...] Read more.
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive medical concern affecting millions of people worldwide, with the majority being women. IPV is linked to a number of long-term physical and mental health consequences, including brain injuries and associated persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite the high prevalence of these conditions, there is sparse literature assessing accessible and effective therapeutic avenues specific to IPV victim-survivors. Methods: This narrative review had two aims: to identify therapeutic studies addressing PTSD and PPCS in women IPV survivors, and to provide a narrative overview of potential therapeutic categories, including psychotherapy, mindfulness and meditation, exercise, and pharmacotherapy. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria required full-text, peer-reviewed articles published in English, conducted in women with a history of IPV, reporting treatment outcomes related to PTSD or PPCS. Where no IPV-specific evidence was identified, findings from closely related populations including military veterans, athletes, and general TBI samples were narratively reviewed to inform potential therapeutic implications. Results: Nineteen studies addressing PTSD in women IPV survivors were identified, predominantly utilizing psychotherapeutic or mindfulness and meditation-based interventions. No intervention studies targeting PPCS specifically in IPV survivors were identified. Consequently, results for PPCS are largely extrapolated from adjacent populations. Although potential therapeutic avenues were narratively identified across psychotherapy, mindfulness and meditation, exercise, and pharmacotherapy, IPV-specific evidence remains limited, and validation for PTSD and PPCS in this population is needed before clinical recommendations can be made. Conclusions: While 19 studies identified promising therapeutic options for IPV-related PTSD, no IPV-specific PPCS interventions were identified, and implications for PPCS management remain largely inferential. Validation and integrated trauma-informed approaches addressing the intersection of PTSD and PPCS are needed for this understudied population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Accessing Treatment and Rehabilitation for Underserved Survivors of Brain Injury)
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