Abstract:
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Traumatic Brain Injury Care System operates within the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center. Two research projects are in progress: Problem-Solving for Caregivers of Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury is a randomized clinical trial designed to determine the effectiveness of problem-solving training for family caregivers of persons with traumatize brain injury (TBI). The project will determine how caregivers' problem solving abilities affect their duties and their health, and the adjustment of care recipients. It also will evaluate the effectiveness of problem-solving training. Timothy Elliott, PhD, is the investigator. : Sertraline to Decrease the Incidence and Severity of Depression During the First Year of Recovery after Traumatic Brain Injury is a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled drug trial. The two objectives are to: a) determine the efficacy of treating or preventing major organic depression following traumatic brain injury (TBI) with sertraline; and b) evaluate and monitor the effect of sertraline on TBI recovery. Our long-term goal is to improve the standard of care for patients with TBI by improving the recognition and treatment of major depression after TBI. Jay Meythaler MD, JD and Tom Novack, PhD are the investigators. Our dissemination/utilization goal is to ensure that our target audience has access to TBI information generated by ongoing and prior research projects. Formats used include: 1) Internet web sites (www.uab.edu/tbi); 2) Fax information system, 3) Email distribution, 4) : TBI Inform information sheets, 5) a TBI newsletter, 6) Conferences, training and educational events (Professional and Consumers/families) and 7) an interactive CD and an evaluation program for materials developed during our prior grant.

Click here to view projects in the registry for University of Alabama | view center description