Rehabilitation of patients with long-term aftereffects of mild combat traumatic brain injury

Abstract

The aim: To analyze the effect of Korean red ginseng on status of the vegetative nervous system and well-being of patients with asthenic syndrome assotiated with mild combat traumatic brain injury. Materials and methods: We have examined 42 patients. Duration of their injury was from 4 to 6 years. We have investigated the indices of the vegetative tonus, vegetative reactivity and vegetative provisioning, its neurally mediated component – adrenaline and noradrenaline and melatonin hormone in daily urine. Some neuropsychological data were investigated with the help of HAM method (Health, Activity and Mood scale). Results: After the treatment with Korean red ginseng all indices of the vegetative nervous system improved significantly. Accordingly, the rates of adrenaline and noradrenaline and the hormone melatonin, which were reduced before treatment in most of the examined, increased. The HAM values also improved after the treatment. Conclusions: The use of Korean red ginseng restores efficiency, sleep, activity, and improves the mood of patients with aftereffects of mild traumatic brain injury and does not cause any adverse reaction.