BETTER transitional care for adults with traumatic brain injury and their families

A Randomized Controlled Trial of BETTER, A Transitional Care Intervention, for Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury and Their Families

['FUNDING_R01'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11285201

This project compares a coordinated transitional care program called BETTER to usual care to help adults (18+) with traumatic brain injury and their families manage recovery after leaving the hospital.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorDUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11285201 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If I join, researchers will randomly place me into either the BETTER program or usual care after my hospital stay. BETTER offers education, training, therapy, and care coordination focused on daily activities, symptom management, and caregiver support. The team will follow patients and family caregivers over time to track quality of life, rehospitalizations, functional abilities, and caregiver strain. Participation likely involves hospital- and home-based activities plus regular follow-up contacts.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults aged 18 and older with mild-to-severe traumatic brain injury who are transitioning from hospital to home and who have family caregivers are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People under 18, those without a traumatic brain injury, or individuals far removed from their acute hospital discharge are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this trial.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, BETTER could improve recovery, increase independence in everyday activities, reduce rehospitalizations, and lessen caregiver strain.

How similar studies have performed: Transitional care programs have improved outcomes in other acute conditions like stroke and heart attack, but few rigorous, theory-driven transitional care trials have targeted traumatic brain injury specifically.

Where this research is happening

DURHAM, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Acquired brain injury

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.