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

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical outcome measures of BETTER (Brain Injury Education, Training, and Therapy to Enhance Recovery), a culturally tailored traumatic brain injury (TBI) transitional care intervention, among diverse younger adult patients with TBI (age 18-64) and their caregivers. Trained clinical interventionists addressed patient/family needs; established goals; coordinated post-hospital care and resources; and provided patient/family training on self- and family-management coping skills. Fifteen dyads enrolled (N = 31, 15 patients, 16 caregivers). All completed baseline data; 74.2% (n = 23; 10 patients, 13 caregivers) completed 8-week data; 83.8% (n = 26; 13 each) completed 16-week data. Approximately 38% (n = 12, 3 patients, 9 caregivers) completed acceptability data, showing positive experiences (mean = 9.25, range 0-10; SD = 2.01). Overall and mental quality of life (QOL) scores did not differ over time but physical QOL scores did improve over time (baseline: 30.3, 8 weeks: 46.5, 16 weeks: 61.6; p = 0.0056), which was considered to be a suitable outcome measure for a future trial. BETTER is a promising intervention with implications to improve TBI care standards. Research is needed to determine efficacy in a randomized trial.

Duke Scholars

Author Timothy J. Strauman Psychology & Neuroscience

Author Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda School of Nursing

Author Suresh Kumar Agarwal Jr. Trauma, Acute, and Critical Care Surgery

Author Janet Prvu Bettger Orthopaedic Surgery

Author Tolulope Oyesanya School of Nursing

Author Courtney Harold Van Houtven Population Health Sciences