On its front page, the New York Times (8/26, A1, Alvarez) reports that “a growing tide of combat veterans” is returning “home from Iraq and Afghanistan with mild traumatic brain injuries, or concussions, caused by powerful explosions. As many as 300,000, or 20 percent, of combat veterans who regularly worked…away from bases” may “have suffered at least one concussion, according to the latest Pentagon estimates.” The concussions may leave many with “longer-term problems that can include…persistent memory loss, headaches, mood swings, dizziness, hearing problems, and light sensitivity. These symptoms, which may be subtle and may not surface for weeks or months after their return, are often debilitating,” and could lead “to financial problems, job losses, divorce, and mental-health issues.” Last year, the Department of Veterans Affairs began “screening all Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who come in for clinical help. So far, 33,000 of 227,015, about 15 percent, have screened positive for mild brain injury since April 2007.” It remains unclear, however, “how many service members, particularly those who fought earlier in the war, remain unscreened, and whose injuries go undiagnosed.”
Department of Defense to spend $4 million to conduct clinical studies on holistic therapies for veterans. The Hartford Courant (8/25, Somma) reported that the “U.S. military is spending $4 million to figure out whether New Age practices and holistic therapies can mend the wounded psyches of its troops.” In light of the fact that a “high number of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan” have been “diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries, the government is handing out grants to conduct clinical studies on everything from yoga, to Reiki, to animal assisted therapy, to transcendental meditation.” According to a “request for proposals, which closed May 15,” the Department of Defense said that it “supports the use of alternative therapies, if they are proved efficacious.”