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Research projects
Family Support Program Project Coordinator: Jeffrey Kreuzer, Ph.D Family members play an important role in rehabilitation and recovery after a traumatic brain injury. After hospital discharge, TBI survivors' family members often have questions or concerns; many are unsure where to turn for help. The VCU TBIMS Family Support Program was developed to help individuals understand the benefits of education, support, and referral resources after hospital discharge. To be considered for the study, persons with TBI must enroll with at least one adult family member (or friend).
The Family Support Program was developed as a means of teaching survivors and family members about the effects of brain injury. The program also helps people locate community resources and to better adjust to life after brain injury.
During the study, participants meet regularly with rehabilitation professionals. Educational materials and referral information are provided. Completion of surveys and questionnaires before and after program participation is required. Participants are paid up to $25 for their efforts.
(revised 1/18/06) Early Rehabilitation Program Project Director: Janet Niemeier, Ph.D.
Early progress after TBI can be difficult because of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional changes. Changes may include confusion, memory loss, attention problems, and difficulty speaking. Behavior and emotional changes often include acting without thinking, temper problems, frustration, mood swings, and sadness. The VCU Early Rehabilitation Program was developed to help survivors learn how to overcome common problems after TBI. People with TBI, hospitalized on the inpatient brain injury rehabilitation unit at VCUHS, are eligible to participate. Participants will meet regularly with a rehabilitation professional, and receive information about brain injury, recovery, and how to get better. Participants will be asked to answer questions and fill out surveys before and twice after completing the program. Participants will be paid up to $25 for being in this study.
Since 1987, model system researchers have been working hard to learn more about the effects of brain injury. They collect information from emergency room records, acute care physicians, and rehabilitation physicians. They also collect information from persons with brain injury. Information relating to the following categories is collected for the national database and analyzed - · injury severity – CT scan results, Glasgow Coma Scale scores, types of surgery · cause of injury · duration of hospitalization and rehabilitation · rehabilitation progress – ability to carry out activities of daily living independently · work status before and after injury
Information from the database has helped model systems researchers learn how recovery is affected by factors such as age, cause of injury, injury severity and duration of hospitalization. As more information is entered into the database, researchers have greater opportunities to learn about effective treatment approaches.
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