The BETTER Traumatic Brain Injury Transitional Care Intervention: A Feasibility Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) presents significant challenges for younger adults and their caregivers during the transitional care phase.
• Culturally tailored interventions are crucial for addressing diverse patient needs in TBI recovery.
• Existing TBI care models require enhancement to improve patient outcomes and support systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the BETTER (Brain Injury Education, Training, and Therapy to Enhance Recovery) intervention.
• To evaluate clinical outcome measures, including quality of life (QOL), for a TBI transitional care program.
• To determine the potential of BETTER to improve TBI care standards for diverse younger adults.

Main Methods:

• A culturally tailored transitional care intervention, BETTER, was implemented by trained clinical interventionists.
• Interventionists addressed patient/family needs, set goals, coordinated care, and provided self- and family-management training.
• Fifteen dyads (patients and caregivers) enrolled, with data collected at baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks.

Main Results:

• High retention rates were observed: 74.2% at 8 weeks and 83.8% at 16 weeks.
• Acceptability data indicated positive experiences with the intervention (mean score 9.25/10).
• Physical QOL scores significantly improved over time (p = 0.0056), while overall and mental QOL scores did not change.

Conclusions:

• The BETTER intervention is a feasible and acceptable transitional care program for younger adults with TBI and their caregivers.
• Improvements in physical QOL suggest it is a suitable outcome measure for future TBI trials.
• BETTER demonstrates potential for enhancing TBI care standards, warranting further investigation in a randomized efficacy trial.