Brain injury news, May 2024
A monthly selection of news and events related to concussion, head injuries, TBIs.
Tragic news from a rugby match
A 33-year-old man has died after receiving a knee to the head in a rugby match in New Zealand. This awful news has shaken the wider rugby community, and the cause is reported as a bleed in the brain.
This was described as a freak accident by those on the scene. Yet, it comes at a time when World Rugby is being sued over the devastating effects of repetitive brain injury. And more professionals in a wide number of sports are talking about the effects of head injury, so we cannot say that this sad accident happened in a vacuum.
Mood impact after BI
We know that low mood and depression are common after brain injuries such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and encephalitis, and this can impact our day-to-day activities.
However, planning and organisation abilities after brain injury can also impact mood. This research study is looking at ways to improve mood after brain injury by taking part in rewarding activities such as contacting a friend, hobbies, or other activities you find rewarding. This University of Oxford research study takes place online using MS Teams. You will meet with a researcher once a week for 3 weeks to plan activities together.
This research is targeted towards adults with a brain injury and low mood. Contact Andrea at Andrea.kusec@ndcn.ox.ac.uk or at 07935 242445 if you are interested in taking part.
BI & depression, BBC 5Live
Headway UK reports their Chief Executive Luke Griggs discussed early rehabilitation after BI on BBC Radio. The discussion included “new research that could help to prevent depression and other mental health conditions impacting people from the point of sustaining a brain injury.”
Getting a covid vaccine
The UK booking system for this spring’s COVID-19 boosters is now open for those who are eligible for them. This year, those eligible include people aged 75 and over by 30 June 2024, older adult care home residents, and immunosuppressed individuals aged six months and over.
Book a slot to get vaccinated as soon as possible via the NHS website, on the NHS App or by ringing 119 free of charge. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine.