Improving Walking and Balance in individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury: a Pilot Study Examining Feasibility and Dosage

INTRuST- Injury and Traumatic Stress Consortium, PTSD/ TBI Clinical Consortium Coordinating Center, US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command

This is a case series study evaluating the feasibility and dosage of Intensive Mobility Training (IMT). Individuals with  Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) causing significant locomotor impairment, who meet  specific criteria, will be recruited. Location and nature of neural insult will be determined by multimodal MRI exam. All participants will receive 3 hours of rehabilitation per day for 20 days, focusing on gait and balance.  Locomotion and balance will be comprehensively tested prior to IMT, after 10 days of IMT, and then again after the full dose of IMT.

Study Duration: The total length of time participants will be in study (1 month intervention + 3 months follow-up).

Participants receive a small stipend for participation.

In order to participate, you must:

• Greater than 3 months post-TBI with discharge from inpatient care facility
•  the ability to follow simple three-step commands
•  the ability to communicate presence and location of pain
• the ability to walk 10 meters
•  age ≥ 18

If you are interested in participating, you will be screened by the University of South Carolina, Department of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Lab Staff to see if you meet all necessary qualifications.

• Prior to the therapy, you will be asked to attend evaluation sessions that will last approximately 4 hours.  You will perform tests that evaluate your ability to use your affected arm and leg, and test your balance.

• Following the evaluation, you will undergo 4-5 weeks of therapy.  The sessions will last approximately 3 hour and will be held on Monday thru Friday, 4-5 days per week at the University of South Carolina, Public Health Research Center.  These sessions will focus on challenging your  gait and balance by using various activities such as treadmill walking and overground balance activites.  You will have someone with you at all times to direct the activities and to ensure your safety.

• Re-evaluation sessions:  After the 5 weeks of training, you will be asked to repeat all testing that you performed before the training and then to return 3 months later for another testing session.   These testing sessions will again last approximately 4 hours.

• Benefits to you may include:  improved knowledge about your abilities, and possible improvement in movement control.  In addition, the information obtained from this study may help improve the treatment of individuals with chronic brain injury.

• Participation in this study is entirely voluntary.  There is no direct cost for participation in this research study; however, you may incur costs for travel or lodging depending on how far away you live.  There is no charge for the therapy.
  
  

For more information concerning this research study,
RehabLab@mailbox.sc.edu