Needs and treatment options in chronic traumatic brain injury: A feasibility trial of a community-based intervention

Abstract

Lifelong changes may be expected after sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Research on relevant treatment options in the chronic phase of TBI is lacking. An innovative, home-based intervention program was developed in the US and showed to be effective among US veterans who had sustained a TBI. However, the cross-cultural applicability and effectiveness are unknown. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the feasibility in a Norwegian population before a future definitive randomized controlled trial (RCT). Six participants with severe TBI in metropolitan Oslo, Norway, were recruited and received the intervention. Primary feasibility objectives were to evaluate (i) recruitment and screening procedures, (ii) baseline and follow-up assessments, (iii) intervention delivery, (iv) acceptability, and (v) order of primary and secondary outcome measures. No adverse effects of the intervention were uncovered. Baseline assessment was found to be too long. Intervention delivery was feasible and acceptability high. Outcome measures were reviewed and amendments were deemed necessary. An individually tailored, goal-focused intervention program was deemed feasible in a population of severe TBI and the preliminary results seem promising. The feasibility trial led to important amendments to inclusion criteria, baseline assessment and outcome measures that were adapted before the RCT study commenced. The RCT-study started recruitment in June 2018.

Keywords

• traumatic brain injury
• community-based rehabilitation
• in-home rehabilitation
• feasibility trial