Traumatic Brain Injuries
Conditions
Brief summary
The primary purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact of a telehealth-based, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention (problem-solving training: PST) for adult informal military family/friend caregivers of OIF/OEF service members with a deployment-related TBI.
Detailed description
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has gained increasing attention in American society as it is now considered the signature injury of the Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) campaigns. The chronic changes that often occur in the wake of TBI along with possible physical injuries may run a chronic, unremitting course, imposing great strain and distress upon family members who often assume a caregiver role with little preparation and no formal training for these wounded service members as they reintegrate back into civilian life post-deployment. Unfortunately, research has not adequately addressed the unique long-term needs of informal military caregivers of deployed service members with TBI (i.e., family members/close friends).
Interventions
BEHAVIORALProblem-Solving Training (PST)
Training in problem-solving skills to be applied to military caregiver problems.
BEHAVIORALAttention Control
Social contact control (health education/no skill training)
Sponsors
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Age ≥ 19 years old * Meets study project definition of a military caregiver * Documentation or determination of an OIF/OEF deployment related TBI * Service member will have presented to a Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) or military medical center * English-speaking * Has access to a telephone for the administration of measures and/or intervention calls * Has no significant cognitive or communication problems that might significantly interfere with adequately understanding information or talking on the telephone which will be determined by the clinical judgment of the person consenting the participant.
Exclusion criteria
* Has a life-threatening or other serious disease that impacts the ability to participate for the duration of the project * No determination or documentation of a deployment-related TBI related to OIF/OEF for the injured service member * Has a severe hearing impairment that impedes communication and standardized implementation of the intervention and telephone follow-up * Formal caregiver * Caregiver does not want to participate
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Patient Health Questionnaire-9 | Change from baseline in PHQ-9 scores at post-program (3-months follow-up) |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed