Of the 46 women, a total of 71 separate cases of physical assault were reported. Thirty-eight percent of the women reported multiple assaults. Overall, 35% of the survey participants were identified as possibly having sustained a mild traumatic brain injury and were referred to appropriate services.
Fourteen women, 30% of this group, reported that they experienced a loss of consciousness on at least one occasion. Fifteen percent of the women were hospitalized as a direct result of injuries to the head. Sixty-seven percent of the women, both who did and did not experience a loss of consciousness, reported symptoms associated with mild traumatic brain injury, such as headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and memory loss. The majority of women reported experiencing more than one symptom of traumatic brain injury, which is characteristic of a condition called post-concussive syndrome.
The researchers found that 67% of the women surveyed had symptoms associated with traumatic brain injury. Thirty percent of the women reported a loss of consciousness after a blow to the head. Sixty percent reported no loss of consciousness following a blow to the head, but reported symptoms associated with traumatic brain injury. The researchers suspect that women who receive a traumatic brain injury as the result of domestic violence may be more likely than others to experience post-concussive syndrome. The researchers advocate for further studies to explore the nature and consequences of domestic violence and traumatic brain injury. Based on these results, the researchers also advocate for early screening for traumatic brain injuries so that women may receive treatment and prevent further injuries.