Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury refers to injury to the brain following trauma. A person may notice effects involving movement, thinking, or other aspects of cognitive function, with severity varying across injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injury is classified as a neurological condition, offering a clear starting point for exploring the topic.
This list shows research findings, not treatments. Nothing here replaces medical care. If you have this condition, talk to a doctor.
What may help
What studies found for each option, best evidence first.
7 options:1 some evidence4 not enough evidence2 not tested in people
Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)practiceSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 2 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A review described improvements in PSV, Stroop, and CVLT scores in open studies and MRI diffusion changes in a randomized trial, but RPQ did not significantly improve. The review also reported mixed results from NEST trials in ischemic stroke; it did not provide a pooled efficacy result for traumatic brain injury.
Open the Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation) pageQigongpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
All 2 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A pooled analysis reported cognitive improvement with Tai Chi or Qigong in people with Traumatic Brain Injury. A separate review described four Tai Chi trials with functional, psychological or cognitive improvements, and one Qigong trial with psychological improvements.
Open the Qigong pageFocused Attention MeditationpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A 2020 pilot randomized trial in 20 adults with chronic mood and/or cognitive complaints after mild-moderate traumatic brain injury found no significant primary between-group result, although exploratory pooled pre-post improvements were reported.
Open the Focused Attention Meditation pageHatha YogapracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
In a 2020 study of 26 inpatients with acquired brain injury, participants reported better well-being and relaxation after yoga; without a control group, the changes cannot be separated from other influences.
Open the Hatha Yoga pageTai ChipracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A review of randomized and non-randomized human studies in people with mild, moderate or severe traumatic brain injury reported improvements in functional, psychological or cognitive outcomes. The primary outcome, return to usual activities, was not measured.
Open the Tai Chi pageAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)practiceNot tested in people
Only tested in animals, cells or theory. Results like these often do not carry over to people.
The one study found a benefit.
A process evaluation of BrainACT in people with acquired brain injury reported high attendance and satisfaction, along with self-reported coping; the authors concluded the program was feasible. This evaluation did not establish treatment efficacy for Traumatic Brain Injury.
Open the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) pageBrain Games / PuzzlespracticeNot tested in people
Only tested in animals, cells or theory. Results like these often do not carry over to people.
The one study found a benefit.
Brain games are used as part of cognitive rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury to help restore attention, memory, and executive function.
Open the Brain Games / Puzzles page
May not suit people with this condition
Supplements and practices linked to problems for people with this condition.
MeditationpracticeUnclear
In the acute phase after traumatic brain injury, the cognitive load of focused-attention meditation may overwhelm neural recovery processes.
Open the Meditation pageMindfulness MeditationpracticeUnclear
In the acute phase after a traumatic brain injury, mindfulness meditation may overwhelm fragile cognitive resources and impair recovery.
Open the Mindfulness Meditation page
The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.
What may help
Interventions recorded as helping with this condition7 listedMost likely to help, from the evidence we have
- →PracticesRed Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)CertaintyMediumSourceClinical
A review described improvements in PSV, Stroop, and CVLT scores in open studies and MRI diffusion changes in a randomized trial, but RPQ did not significantly improve. The review also reported mixed results from NEST trials in ischemic stroke; it did not provide a pooled efficacy result for traumatic brain injury.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Alzheimers Disease
- Anxiety Disorder
- Anxiety Generalized
- Depression
- Low Libido
- Major Depressive Disorder
- +3 more
Open Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)Study result
Listed as a target condition in the review; no pooled efficacy result reported in the abstract
Low probability(6)
- →PracticesQigongCertaintyLowSourceRCT
A pooled analysis reported cognitive improvement with Tai Chi or Qigong in people with Traumatic Brain Injury. A separate review described four Tai Chi trials with functional, psychological or cognitive improvements, and one Qigong trial with psychological improvements.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Dementia
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Parkinsons Disease
- Stroke
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Open QigongStudy result
Pooled RCTs reported cognitive improvement with tai chi/Qigong in traumatic brain injury.
- →PracticesFocused Attention MeditationCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A 2020 pilot randomized trial in 20 adults with chronic mood and/or cognitive complaints after mild-moderate traumatic brain injury found no significant primary between-group result, although exploratory pooled pre-post improvements were reported.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Open Focused Attention MeditationStudy result
Pilot RCT in adults with chronic mood and/or cognitive complaints after mild-moderate TBI; primary between-group result non-significant, exploratory pooled pre-post improvements reported.
- →PracticesHatha YogaCertaintyLowSourceClinical
In a 2020 study of 26 inpatients with acquired brain injury, participants reported better well-being and relaxation after yoga; without a control group, the changes cannot be separated from other influences.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Open Hatha YogaStudy result
Significant pre-post improvements in self-reported well-being and relaxation on 100-point VAS and qualitative themes of relaxation, physical/emotional well-being, being present, and self-awareness in 26 inpatients with ABI; no control group.
- →PracticesTai ChiCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A review of randomized and non-randomized human studies in people with mild, moderate or severe traumatic brain injury reported improvements in functional, psychological or cognitive outcomes. The primary outcome, return to usual activities, was not measured.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Open Tai ChiStudy result
Included trials in people with mild, moderate or severe TBI reported improved functional, psychological or cognitive outcomes with Tai Chi, though the primary outcome (return to usual activities) was not measured.
- →PracticesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)CertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
A process evaluation of BrainACT in people with acquired brain injury reported high attendance and satisfaction, along with self-reported coping; the authors concluded the program was feasible. This evaluation did not establish treatment efficacy for Traumatic Brain Injury.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Study result
Process evaluation of BrainACT in 27 participants with acquired brain injury; high attendance, satisfaction, and self-reported coping; authors concluded feasibility.
- →PracticesBrain Games / PuzzlesCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Brain games are used as part of cognitive rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury to help restore attention, memory, and executive function.
Open Brain Games / PuzzlesStudy result
Brain games are used as part of cognitive rehabilitation to help restore attention, memory, and executive function after traumatic brain injury.
What to avoid
Interventions recorded as making it worse2 listedHighest probability
- →PracticesMeditationCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge
In the acute phase after traumatic brain injury, the cognitive load of focused-attention meditation may overwhelm neural recovery processes.
Open MeditationRationale
Cognitive load from focused attention meditation may overwhelm neural recovery processes in the acute phase after TBI.
- →PracticesMindfulness MeditationCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge
In the acute phase after a traumatic brain injury, mindfulness meditation may overwhelm fragile cognitive resources and impair recovery.
Open Mindfulness MeditationRationale
In the acute phase after traumatic brain injury, mindfulness meditation may overwhelm fragile cognitive resources and impair recovery.
How to read the evidence
Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound
- StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
- ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
- PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
- LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
- InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.
Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real
- Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
- HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
- MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
- LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
- Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence
Source — where the data comes from
- Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
- RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
- ClinicalA human clinical study
- Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
- Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
- Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
- TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested
Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)
- AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
- BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
- CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
- DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only
Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding
A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement
Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.
Full write-up
What is it
Traumatic Brain Injury refers to injury to the brain following trauma. A person may notice effects involving movement, thinking, or other aspects of cognitive function, with severity varying across injuries. It is a medical condition, not a supplement-related effect or a single symptom.
Research involving options such as Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) and Creatine includes animal studies and reviews. These findings do not by themselves establish that the same effects occur in people.
Evidence-backed options
The options associated with Traumatic Brain Injury span several proposed targets rather than one established treatment pathway. Findings have focused on secondary neurodegenerative cascades, inflammatory sequelae, energy metabolism, brain edema and intracranial pressure, as well as motor, cognitive and broader functional outcomes. These findings should be interpreted according to the type of evidence behind each option and the population studied.
Much of the research comes from animal models, including work involving Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR), BCAA, Beta-Alanine, Creatine, Curcumin and Shilajit. In these studies, reported outcomes included protection of motor or cognitive function, increased resiliency after blast exposure, reduced severity of injury, and improved neurologic outcomes. Beta-Alanine was studied for 30-day, while no specific duration or dosing information is provided for the other options here. Animal findings do not establish that the same effects occur in people.
Melatonin has been discussed in relation to sleep and circadian disorders as well as inflammatory consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury, while MCT Oil has been proposed as an alternative fuel source for the injured brain. Taurine has evidence from a study in patients, with reported changes in clinical measures, and Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) has clinical evidence concerning in-hospital mortality among patients admitted to the ICU. These human findings remain specific to the studied settings and outcomes, so they should not be generalized beyond them.
No onset time is provided for these options, and the available findings do not establish a consistent duration of benefit. Anyone considering supplements in the context of a medical condition should discuss the options with a clinician.