Integrated psychological rehabilitation following combat trauma: Cognitive and affective recovery in military personnel

Abstract: Background: Combat-related trauma in injured military personnel has profound psychological consequences, with significant implications for improving quality of life and supporting long-term adaptation in the post-traumatic period. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a comprehensive set of restorative psychological interventions tailored to the post-acute phase of combat stress. Material/ Methods: The study included 36 servicemen treated at a field hospital in a high-intensity combat zone (mean age 43.9 ± 1.8 years; 8.33% female). Neuropsychological outcomes were assessed using a standardized neuropsychological status questionnaire. Levels of state and trait anxiety were measured with the Spielberger-Hanin Situational Anxiety Questionnaire. Cognitive deficits were evaluated using the Clock Drawing Test (CDT), while attention parameters – such as concentration, stability, shifting, distribution, and capacity – were examined using the Schulte Tables. Results: The analysis of the neuropsychological profile has revealed the following findings: 10 (27.8%) individuals have consciousness disorders, 11 (30.5%) have memory loss, 9 (25%) have recorded attention pathology, 7 (19.4%) suffer from chronic headache, and 17 (47.2%) have disturbances in personal identityand psychosomatic orientation disorders. Implementation of the psychological recovery program resulted in significant reductions in state anxiety, improved performance on the CDT, and enhanced attention capacity as measured by the Schulte Tables. These outcomes reflect positive changes in emotional regulation, memory function, and executive processes during the post-acute recovery phase. Conclusions: The findings support the efficacy of the proposed psychological intervention in mitigating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and facilitating functional recovery in military personnel exposed to extreme occupational stress.