BI-ISIG

Brain Injury Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group (BI-ISIG)

The Brain Injury Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group (BI-ISIG) is the largest subspecialty group in the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM). Approximately 30% of the ACRM membership belongs to the BI-ISIG.

The BI-ISIG is dedicated to enhancing professional development, advocating the standards of practice and defining a forum for interdisciplinary exchange in the field of brain injury rehabilitation.

The BI-ISIG holds two meetings per year, one a mid-year Spring meeting and the other, an annual meeting, which is held in conjunction with the ACRM annual fall conference.

BI-ISIG Member Benefits:

• Moving Ahead - Newsletter
• BI-ISIG Task Forces
• Continuing education
• Opportunity to plan educational courses for the annual scientific conference
• Development of position papers
• Joint research opportunities

However, the key work of the BI-ISIG is in its various task forces, which develop cutting-edge research and/or standards of care in brain injury.

Released Reports:

Brain Imaging: Understanding the Basics - FAQ

Facts about the Vegetative and Minimally Conscious States after Severe Brain Injury

FAQs: Neuroimaging, Ethics and Disorders of Consciousness
Judy Illes, PhD, Patricia Lau, BSc, Joseph T. Giacino, PhD

In June 2007, a multidisciplinary group of leaders in neuroimaging, neurology and neuroethics gathered at Stanford University to discuss and deliver an ethics analysis of the emerging capabilities of functional neuroimaging studies (e.g., fMRI, PET) in patients with disorders of consciousness. There was broad agreement that one of the most vexing challenges identified by neurologists, neuroimagers and neuroethicists is negotiating caretakers’ responses to media releases concerning peer-reviewed publications that describe novel findings with potential clinical significance (1). It is not uncommon for rehabilitation clinicians to receive requests from family members to obtain a neuroimaging study for a loved one unable to communicate verbally or gesturally as the result of acquired brain injury. Family members often express the belief and hope that functional neuroimaging may provide signals about the patient’s state of consciousness and perhaps prospects for recovery.

Although neurotechnology is increasingly being utilized to study vegetative and minimally conscious patients, the scientific and clinical community still awaits precise figures on the epidemiology of these conditions (2). In response to what appears to be an overwhelming need for better dissemination of information today, at least as measured by the impact of phone calls and emails, a “Frequently Asked Questions” document was developed by participants of the Stanford conference that is specifically oriented for families. This document describes in simple language some basic facts about neuroimaging, what families should know about  the state-of-the-art in functional neuroimaging of brain injury today, and ethical considerations in deciding whether to enroll a loved one in a neuroimaging study. As part of the dissemination plan, the FAQ document has been made available for distribution through this website and by hard copy to imaging centers, neurologists, professional organizations, and advocacy groups. The FAQ may be downloaded from the list above.

1. Judy Illes, PhD, Correspondence
National Core for Neuroethics
The University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, British Columbia CANADA

1. Patricia Lau, BSc
National Core for Neuroethics
The University of British Columbia,
2211 Wesbrook Mall. Koerner, S124
Vancouver, British Columbia CANADA

2. Joseph T. Giacino, PhD
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
USA

A Report of the Cognitive Rehabilitation Task Force, ACRM BI-ISIG

Click here to view the Study on Aging with Brain Injury

This is a PDF file and you will need Acrobat Adobe Reader to view it. If you do not have Acrobat Adobe Reader click here for a free download from their website.