NIH-funded research R21 grant

Kuishi-TBI App: Mobile care tool for traumatic brain injury in Tanzania

Official title: Kuishi-TBI App: A mobile health application for traumatic brain injury care in Moshi, Tanzania

Funded at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre · NIH-11440852 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A mobile health app to help triage, guide treatment, and educate TBI patients in Tanzania and similar settings.

More Brain Injury research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionKilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Moshi, TANZANIA U REP)
Project startSeptember 7, 2026
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$183,457
NIH project number1R21NS151171-01
Project IDNIH-11440852 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates are individuals with suspected or confirmed traumatic brain injury in Tanzania and similar low-resource or rural settings where access to timely care is limited.

Less likely to help

Patients in well-resourced settings with rapid access to care may experience limited incremental benefit from this specific app.

What this research studies

This project will create the Kuishi-TBI App to speed up and improve brain injury care in low-resource areas by integrating a machine learning risk model, local care guidelines, and coordinated communication among patients, facilities, and transport teams. The app also includes an SMS-based education module to support self-care and rehabilitation after TBI. It leverages the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre network in Moshi, Tanzania, to pilot and refine the tool in real-world clinical settings. By simplifying triage, guiding decisions, and improving communication, the app aims to reduce delays and mortality from TBI. The study design includes a cluster randomization element to evaluate implementation across different settings within the referral network.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the app could shorten time to appropriate care for TBI patients and lower mortality in low-resource settings.

How similar studies have gone: Prior mHealth approaches have shown promise in improving care coordination and adherence in low-resource settings, but this targeted TBI app is novel in this network.

Where this research is happening

  • Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre
    Moshi, Tanzania U Rep
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Ngowi, Kennedy Michael — Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre
  • Study coordinator: Ngowi, Kennedy Michael

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.