The symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), collectively referred to as postconcussion syndrome (PCS), can be debilitating and expensive, both to the individual and to society. Most individuals experience PCS symptoms following a MTBI, and the symptoms subside soon after the injury. A subset of individuals develop a protracted period of symptomatology that is very debilitating, and interferes with educational/ occupational functioning and health-related quality of life (HQOL). The purpose of the proposed project is to test the efficacy of an inexpensive, easy-to-implement telephone intervention for post-concussion syndrome. Individuals who have sustained a MTBI will be identified by the Principal Investigator, and will be urn randomized either to a treatment group who receives four treatment-based telephone calls over a four-week period, or an attention control group who receives four assessment-based telephone calls. Groups will be compared at one and three months following their injury on number of PCS symptoms, educational/ occupational functioning, and HQOL. It is hypothesized that individuals receiving the treatment will display a more complete resolution of their symptoms, and improved educational/occupational functioning and HQOL, relative to the control group.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32HD045033-02
Application #
6800770
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-RPHB-3 (01))
Program Officer
Nitkin, Ralph M
Project Start
2003-08-15
Project End
2004-10-22
Budget Start
2004-08-15
Budget End
2004-10-22
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$8,170
Indirect Cost
Name
Rhode Island Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
075710996
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02903