NIH Awards Grant to Identify Rehab Specialists for Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

Becky Jacoby, Rush University Medical Center
NIH Awards Grant to Identify Rehab Specialists for Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

The NIH has awarded a $4.3 million grant to 11 health care facilities in the U.S. and Canada to identify optimal rehabilitation therapies for victims of traumatic brain injuries. Rush University Medical Center in Illinois, is among the facilities chosen to participate in the study.

The five-year study is expected to collect records of more than 2,300 patients who have suffered moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. The information included in the records will be demographics, diagnostic and clinical profiles. Daily logs will track individualized physical, occupational, speech/language, and psychological therapies as well as medical treatment and social support. Outcomes will be cataloged to the patients' characteristics and therapeutic treatments.

"Our aim in this study is to isolate individual components of the range of therapies we use to treat our patients and determine how, and to what degree, each is associated with improved function," said Dr. James Young, an internationally recognized expert in the treatment of brain injuries. Young currently is chairman of the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rush.

Post discharge, a year's follow-up of each patient will assess their quality of life. The analysis will involve a research methodology referred to as evidence-based practice for clinical practice improvement. This methodology relies on clinical practice to determine what works for whom, when and at what cost. Previously, this method had worked successfully to improve treatment for stroke.

"From the extraordinary wealth of data we'll collect in this five-year analysis, we will be able to offer clinicians the information that can help them evaluate their current treatment practices and select therapies that are most likely to help their patients," Young said.

Posted on BrainLine January 30, 2009.

From the Rush University Medical Center. www.rush.edu.

Comments (2)

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Anonymous replied on

I read that you are looking for Rehab Specialist for Patients with Cognitive Challenges/TBI. I've used positive or beneficial terms to address myself since 1978, when I survived a three-month coma at the age of 12. I've survived another 40 cognitive challenges because Arkansas will not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This non-accessibility has caused 24 falls re-chlallenging my brain at one university, alone. I'm fearful of going to El Dorado, since I use a cane, they have very few curb cuts. This is dangerous for me & think of all those who visit or don't. I had to relearn to walk, talk, etc., all over again. I made great strides so I was able to reenter school that same year that I got out of the hospital. Now, since I'm unable to work, I volunteer at Wal Marts Tina (870)836-8000, schools Mr. Watson (870)864-5006, boys & girls clubs Mrs. Jamison (870)863-8753, head starts Mrs. Smith (870)862-4545, nursing homes, civic clubs, colleges UCA Dr. R. Logan, Ph.D., Arkansas Children's Hospital Dr. Atiken, MD, (501)364-3300, or a colleague Harvard Medical School Dr. A. Poussaint, Ph.D., M.D., (617)432-2159etc., demonstrating the challenges/difficulties/disabilities one may face with cognitive challenge. I activate, demonstrate, educate, initiate, motivate, stimulate, & validate that some cognitive challenges may be conquered. I deal daily with these challenges: balance, coordination, headaches, memory issues, sensative hearing, jerks, aches, pains in bones, etc. I must not allow this to keep me down, because I think we all can succeed at something. At these locations I tell students, parents, grandparents, children the value/importance of protecting their children's brain with a helmet. This is critically important when riding bikes, skateboards, etc. My mother neglected doing this for me & I want their parents to make better decisions. I was heade for the Olympics & Air Force to serve my nation, but I still serve in a different capacity. It took millions for recovery & I want to keep America the best! www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf16164 Thank you for the opportunity to serve others, as they have served me!

Anonymous replied on

If there is anyway, my slow recovery over the last 34 years can save individuals time, then please contact. My real recovery didn't really start until 2007, when the first first cognitive challenge occurred at or in 1977. That is right 30 years to get the best medication & I'm doing things not done in 30 years. If I can be of service, please contact. Rehab is slow, but hang in there.