The REACH Intervention for Caregivers of Veterans and Service Members With TBI

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · Oct 26, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The REACH Intervention for Caregivers of Veterans and Service Members With Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a study designed to help caregivers who support veterans and service members with TBI. This trial will test a special program called REACH TBI, which aims to reduce stress for caregivers and improve their confidence, mental health, and overall satisfaction with their caregiving experience. The program builds on a successful approach used by the Department of Veterans Affairs to better meet the unique needs of these caregivers.

To participate in this study, caregivers need to be primary caregivers for a veteran or service member who has experienced a TBI at least six months ago. They should have been providing care for at least six months and feel that a significant part of their caregiving relates to TBI. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive the REACH TBI program or waitlist for it. Throughout the study, caregivers can expect support and resources aimed at improving their caregiving experience. It's important to note that individuals who have certain mental health conditions or who primarily care for issues unrelated to TBI may not be eligible for this study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• To be eligible for the study, the participant must:
• • identify as a primary caregiver for a V/SM who sustained a TBI at least 6 months prior;
• • identify as a primary caregiver who has provided care for a V/SM with TBI for at least 6 months;
• • provide some level of daily supervision or assistance with either a physical, cognitive, or behavioral issue they think is likely related to TBI;
• • believe that at least half of their caregiving responsibilities are likely related to TBI rather than another health condition(s); and
• • endorse a score of at least high burden (a score of 8 or higher) on the Zarit Burden Inventory-4.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • no telephone;
• • current diagnosis of schizophrenia or other major mental illness;
• • auditory impairment that would make telephone use difficult; or
• • the caregiver believes that more than half of their caregiving for the V/SM is for issues related to another health condition(s) rather than TBI.