Abstract:
The Rocky Mountain Regional Brain Injury System (RMRBIS) includes two Level I trauma centers with specialized acute neurotrauma care facilities (St. Anthony Hospital and Swedish Medical Center) and the rehabilitation and lifetime follow-up services of Craig Hospital. A research agenda is planned to address the federal priority with three projects: Project 1 - Modafinil for the Treatment of Fatigue and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Individuals with TBI - will determine if the medication Modafinil will reduce fatigue and sleepiness and improve cognitive function and quality of life in individuals with TBI using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study design; Project 2 - Social Communication Skills Training for Individuals with TBI - will evaluate the efficacy of a specific, replicable treatment approach to address social communication and pragmatic skills in a group format for individuals with TBI using a randomized, deferred treatment control group study design. Project 3 - Outcomes and Environmental Factors in the Decades Following TBI - will evaluate long-term trends in TBI outcomes and environmental factors in an effort to better understand the process of living and aging with TBI using a cross-sectional survey study design. An ambitious dissemination plan complementing the three research studies will produce 12 consumer brochures, 10 newsletters, 8 national presentations, 4 scientific manuscripts, two courses for consumers and service providers, a training manual, a user workbook, and a comprehensive interactive website. Finally, the RMRBIS is committed to continue its exemplary contribution to the TBI Model Systems database.

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