Support-TBI: Testing a partner-based program to help people with traumatic brain injury stay connected

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This Phase 1 pilot assesses the feasibility of the SUPPORT-TBI program, which pairs a person with TBI with a close family member or friend to work with a therapist over 12 weekly sessions. The aim is to determine whether the program can be delivered smoothly, whether participants attend and stay engaged, and whether the approach is considered worthwhile by those involved. The intervention focuses on communication, shared goal setting, emotional support, and problem-solving, with guidance from a peer mentor who has a similar experience. Eligibility includes adults with TBI more than six months post-injury, mild-moderate disability, and low baseline social support. The study will enroll 30 dyads and will inform refinements before any larger efficacy testing.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18 or older
* Live in a community setting (not an institutional setting)
* Sustained a traumatic brain injury more than 6 months prior to enrollment
* Report mild-moderate TBI-related disability (score of 5 or greater) on the Glasgow Outcome Scale - Extended
* Report low social support (score of less than 50 on the MOS Social Support Survey)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Insufficient English language fluency
* Active substance use disorder (meets diagnostic criteria on the PRIME-MD MINI alcohol or non-alcoholic substances modules)
* Active, untreated psychotic disorder (meets diagnostic criteria on the PRIME-MD MINI psychotic disorders module)
* Severe memory impairment (score of less than 21 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment)

Where it's running

• Washington University School of Medicine
  St Louis, Missouri, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jessica Kersey, PhD, OTR/L — Washington University School of Medicine
• Study coordinator: Jessica Kersey, PhD, OTR/L
• Email: jkersey@wustl.edu
• Phone: 3142737540

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• ReVIVE for mTBI: Using VR and therapy to help adults with mild traumatic brain injury

  This study tests a virtual reality therapy combined with standard psychotherapy to see if it can reduce PTSD symptoms and improve executive function in adults with mild traumatic brain injury.

  Recruiting Phase 1 Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, Maryland · NCT07890337

• Fibrinogen-to-Albumin Ratio as a Predictor of ARDS in Traumatic Brain Injury

  This study tests whether the fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio can predict who among adults with traumatic brain injury will develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

  Recruiting Tanta University · Tanta, Gharbia Governorate · NCT07664358

• ENGAGE-TBI: A Feasibility Program to Reduce Social Isolation for Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury

  We’re testing a 12-session group program to help adults with traumatic brain injury in the community build social participation and reduce isolation.

  Recruiting Phase 1 Washington University School of Medicine · St Louis, Missouri · NCT07549997

• Can a bedside brain scan (fNIRS) detect activity in healthy people and in people with disorders of consciousness

  This observational study tests whether functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) can measure brain activity at the bedside in healthy adults and in patients with disorders of consciousness in the Neuro-ICU.

  Recruiting University of California, Los Angeles · Los Angeles, California · NCT07485361

• Long-lasting effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on thinking after traumatic brain injury

  This project will see if people with traumatic brain injury who completed a course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy 1–4 years ago still have improved thinking and memory.

  Recruiting Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center · Zrifin · NCT07430150

• Augmented kidney clearance in neurocritical care

  This project will test whether adults in the neuro-ICU with severe brain injury, stroke, seizures, or brain infections have faster kidney clearance (ARC) that can lower antiseizure and antibiotic drug levels.

  Recruiting at 3 sites University of Alberta · Lexington, Kentucky and 2 other locations · NCT07410624

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.