TBI Rehabilitation and Activation in Veterans

Launched by NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION · Aug 15, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called TBI Rehabilitation and Activation in Veterans (TRAIN-Vets), is looking at how a special program can help improve thinking and memory skills in older veterans who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study will last for eight months and involves two groups: one group will participate in the TRAIN-Vets program, which includes water-based exercise, brain training activities, and lifestyle coaching, while the other group will receive educational materials about brain health and healthy living.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be veterans aged 50 to 89 who have had a mild or moderate TBI for more than six months and feel that their thinking skills have declined. They should be able to see and hear well enough to take part in cognitive tests, have approval from their doctor to join the water exercises, and have access to an internet-connected device. Those with severe psychiatric issues, dementia, or recent TBIs, among other criteria, may not be able to participate. If eligible, participants can expect to take part in exercises and training designed to help boost their cognitive abilities while being monitored by the research team.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Veteran, age 50-89 years
• • History (more than 6 months post injury) of mild or moderate TBI defined by the Ohio State University TBI Identification Method and DOD/VA Clinical Practice Guidelines for Definition of TBI
• • Sufficient vision and hearing to allow cognitive testing
• • Willingness to participate in water-based exercise program + cognitive training program for eight months
• • Approval of primary medical provider to participate in a water-based exercise program
• • Subjective cognitive complaints as evidenced by self-report
• • English proficiency to allow for cognitive testing
• • Internet connected device to participate in testing and cognitive training
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Current severe and unstable psychiatric disorder
• • Diagnosis of dementia, Montreal Cognitive Assessment score less than 18, or delirium
• • TBI within the past 6 months
• • Acute illness or unstable chronic illness
• • Current severe cardiac disease
• • Severe TBI or open head injury
• • Inability to exercise consistently
• • Inability to read, verbalize understanding, and voluntarily sign the Informed Consent