A Pragmatic Rehabilitation Intervention: The Active Rehab Study

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL · Apr 6, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Active Rehab Study is a clinical trial focused on helping soldiers recover from mild traumatic brain injuries, commonly known as concussions. The main goal is to see if an active rehabilitation program can help these soldiers return to their duties more quickly and improve their thinking and daily functioning after an injury. This program includes tailored activities that soldiers can start doing as soon as they are 24 hours post-injury, adapting to their personal needs and symptoms. The researchers believe that by following a structured approach to rehabilitation, they can enhance recovery and overall outcomes for the soldiers.

To participate in this study, you must be an active-duty service member stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and have been diagnosed with a mild concussion within two weeks of your injury. Unfortunately, if you've had a more serious brain injury or multiple concussions recently, you won't be eligible. If you decide to take part, you can expect to engage in a variety of activities designed to safely promote your recovery based on how you feel. This study not only aims to improve individual recovery but also seeks to create a helpful guide for military medical providers to use in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Current active duty military personnel stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
• • Report to clinic/provider at Fort Bragg and available for recruitment within 2 weeks of mTBI injury date as indicated in medical record.
• • Initial provider diagnosis of mTBI/concussion within 2 weeks of injury, confirmed via medical record.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Third mTBI/concussion in the past 12 months as indicated by the medical record and/or participant self-report.
• • Symptoms clear at rest and exertion within 48 hours as indicated in medical record and or during study enrollment process.
• • Moderate-Severe TBI, or TBI not meeting the criteria for mTBI as indicated by provider diagnosis.
• • Polytrauma or other injuries preventing completion of initial study assessments in the 2-week window as indicated in initial screening/medical record.
• • TBI, per the funding opportunity announcement is defined as: "being caused by (1) a direct blow or impact to the head, (2) a penetrating head injury, or (3) an exposure to external forces such as blast waves that disrupt the function of the brain." For the proposed study, only those meeting the VA/Department of Defense severity criteria of mild (normal structural imaging, loss of consciousness 0-30 minutes, alteration of consciousness or mental state up to 24 hours, posttraumatic amnesia up to 24 hours, and Glasgow Coma Scale of 13-15) will be targeted.