Clinical Research Directory

Symptom-Targeted Approach to Rehabilitation for Concussion (STAR-C)

Purpose: Investigators propose a three-arm RCT across two military treatment facilities:1) in-person STAR-C, 2) telehealth STAR-C, and 3) no treatment control. Outcomes will be assessed immediately and at one- and three-months post treatment. Hypothesis/Objectives: STAR-C, delivered in-person and via telehealth, will be effective in decreasing everyday cognitive complaints among patients with a history of mTBI. Effectiveness will be moderated by patient characteristics. Stakeholder feedback will yield a process map for broad implementation of STAR-C in varied clinical environments.

Implementation of Biomarker-Based Care for mTBI - IMPACTS-BRAINI Study

This study aims to evaluate the real-world applicability and clinical added value of a new management pathway for patients presenting to the emergency department (ER) with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The pathway includes the use of the VIDAS® TBI in vitro diagnostic assay, which measures the blood biomarkers GFAP and UCH-L1 within 12 hours of injury to determine whether a CT scan is necessary. The study seeks to answer two primary questions: 1. Safety and effectiveness: Whether the VIDAS® TBI test can safely and accurately rule out the need for head CT in mTBI patients in routine emergency care. 2. Clinical and operational impact: Whether incorporating this test reduces the number of CT scans performed and shortens ER length of stay for patients with mild TBI. To assess these outcomes, researchers will compare patient management using the new biomarker-based pathway to a historical cohort of mTBI patients who were managed without the biomarker test.

A Feasibility Study in Combat Athletes With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

The use of Hyberbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) would be a new treatment plan rather than conventional rest. If effective, this new use technology would add to the clinical treatment among mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) patients. The use of a point of care Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) biomarker would aid in clinical decision making to create a new care plan of return to sport among unarmed combat athletes who suffer from mTBI. The innovation would be a new treatment and diagnosis strategy that will protect these athletes from serious long-term sequelae. There are no published randomized controlled studies using HBOT to treat concussed athletes within one week of injury. There are no published studies using GFAP levels to predict post concussive symptoms (PCS).

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Integrated Vestibular Rehabilitation (ACTIVE) RCT

The primary objective of this multi-site randomized clinical trial (RCT) is to compare Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Integrated Vestibular Rehabilitation (ACTIVE) with usual care vestibular rehabilitation (VESTIB CONTROL) in 250 individuals with mTBI-related vestibular symptoms attributable to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) treated at one of two sites (1) the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, or (2) the Intrepid Spirit Center, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas. Both interventions will be delivered weekly over 4 weeks. Assessments will be administered prior to the start of treatment (Baseline) and at 4-weeks, 3- and 6-months following the completion of treatment.