Advancements in Cognitive Rehabilitation Show Faster Gains in Active Duty Military
New research reveals that strategic brain training protocols can accelerate cognitive recovery in active military personnel with brain injuries and PTSD, offering faster and more effective rehabilitation methods.
Recent research from the Center for BrainHealth at UT Dallas, in collaboration with the Camp Pendleton Intrepid Center, highlights significant progress in cognitive rehabilitation protocols for active-duty service members (ADSMs) suffering from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study, published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, involved 148 military personnel and compared two distinct training methods: the strategic SMART protocol and the more traditional SCORE approach.
The SMART method, which emphasizes a top-down approach, involves teaching techniques that enhance self-regulation, strategic thinking, and cognitive flexibility. This proprietary protocol aims to optimize brain function, boost mental energy, and foster innovation through science-backed strategies. Conversely, SCORE adopts a bottom-up approach, focusing on foundational skills like attention, memory, and planning through computer-assisted training programs.
Both groups demonstrated substantial cognitive improvements; however, SMART achieved these gains in approximately one-third of the time required by SCORE. This indicates that SMART’s top-down methodology may facilitate quicker cognitive recovery, capable of applying skills to more complex and real-world challenges.
According to lead researcher Erin Venza, MS, CCC-SLP, SMART brain training strengthens executive control networks, which she describes as the brain's CEO, empowering individuals in problem-solving and creative thinking. Jennifer Zientz, MS, CCC-SLP, emphasizes the importance of rapid cognitive recovery for military readiness, noting that such training can significantly decrease downtime, enhancing mission preparedness and overall well-being.
The Center for BrainHealth’s extensive military training program over the past 15 years has supported the development of these protocols, underlining their potential to improve cognitive resilience among service members. These findings reinforce the value of strategic brain training as an effective tool for accelerating recovery and supporting soldiers facing the neurological impacts of combat-related injuries.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-cognitive-gains-members.html
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