Target population: Active duty, veterans, or anyone with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained within the last two years, and with or without concomitant PTSD.
Intervention to be evaluated: Web-based intervention consisting of psycho-education about mild TBI. Summary of research design: This is a randomized controlled prospective study whereby subjects will be assigned to a web-based intervention consisting of psycho-education about mild TBI or to a control group.
Inclusion criteria: 1) history of mild TBI within the last two years determined using accepted criteria; 2) currently experiencing symptoms attributed to mild TBI; 3) English speaking; 4) ages 18 through 55; and 5) regular access to the internet.
Exclusion criteria: 1) history of previous moderate to severe TBI; 2) history of central nervous system disease or disorder, such as multiple sclerosis, seizure disorder, encephalitis, etc.; 3) history of major psychiatric disorder (other than depression or PTSD) such as schizophrenic, bipolar, or schizoaffective disorders; 4) current suicidal or homicidal ideation or intent; 5) evidence of psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations.
Sample size: 200 participants randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to intervention (n=100) or waitlist (n=100).
Recruitment strategy: Notices consisting of a brief description of the survey, including components of informed consent, assurances of confidentiality, and instructions for individuals who wish to participate, will be posted at designated clinics and on the internet. Participants who respond to an e-mailed invitation and who meet inclusion criteria will complete a basic demographic survey and then be randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control group. The intervention group will complete the web-based psychoeducational intervention after receiving an e-mail with an electronic link to the study website. The control group will be told of future participation in 6 months. Accessing the study website and completing the demographic survey and intervention will serve as consent to participate. Use of a four-phase sampling procedure, including an e-mailed pre-notice, a notice with link to the survey, a reminder e-mail, and a final reminder and thank you will optimize responses.
Method(s) of data collection: For intervention subjects, individual measures will be collected via the internet and assessed at 3 time points: pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and at 6 months follow-up. The same time intervals will be used for the wait-listed control group, which will allow the effects of the intervention to be compared to the passage of time (i.e. will people get better over time without any intervention). The control group will eventually be offered the same intervention should they so choose.
Participants will self-administer the education program, which is based on an empirically valid curriculum: “Recovery from Mild Head Injury: A Treatment Manual for Patients.” During the program, they will be asked to fill out symptom inventories and take a short quiz on the educational material. The study protocol is summarized in the diagram below.
Participant Reimbursement: Each participant will receive $20 in redeemable gift codes for their participation.