Clinical Trial: Internet-Based Treatment for Children With Traumatic Brain Injuries & Their Families: Counselor Assisted Problem Solving

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Improving Mental Health Outcomes of Child Brain Injury

Brief Summary: This study will evaluate the effectiveness of an Internet-based psychosocial treatment in improving problem-solving, communication skills, stress management strategies, and coping among children who have had a traumatic brain injury and their families.

Detailed Summary:

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a strong blow, jolt, or penetration to the head that disrupts normal brain functioning. A TBI can range from a mild concussion to severe brain damage. Falls, assaults, and motor vehicle accidents account for more than 50% of TBIs. Physical symptoms of a TBI can be subtle to severe and can include nausea, memory loss, mood swings, blurred vision, and light-headedness. This type of injury can be very stressful for families and can result in feelings of anxiety, burden, and depression among family members. A child who experiences a TBI will often display new social and behavioral problems, leading to further parental distress and increased family dysfunction. Recent studies have shown that problem-solving interventions can reduce caregiver distress and improve child adjustment following a TBI. However, access to skilled therapists and specialized care for this kind of psychosocial treatment is often limited in many communities. In such communities, the Internet offers a new way to meet the mental and other health needs of individuals with TBIs. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of an Internet-based psychosocial treatment in improving problem solving, communication skills, stress management strategies, and coping among teens who have had a TBI and their families.

Families participating in this study will be randomly assigned to either an Internet-based counselor-assisted problem-solving (CAPS) group or an Internet resource comparison group (IRC). Participants assigned to CAPS will work with a trained counselor who will guide them through a 6-month structured online problem-solving and skill-building program via one-on-one videoconference sessions. Families assigned to IRC will receive computers, high speed Internet access, and links to brain injury information and resources, but no access to the CAPS Web site content. The e
Sponsor: Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati

Current Primary Outcome:

  • Parent report measures [ Time Frame: 5 years ]
  • Teen self-report measures [ Time Frame: 5 years ]


Original Primary Outcome:

  • Iowa Family Interaction Rating Scale
  • Problem Solving Discussion Rating
  • FAD GF, PS, Communication Scales


Current Secondary Outcome: Neuropsychological testing [ Time Frame: 5 years ]

Original Secondary Outcome:

  • Parent
  • SCL-90-R
  • CES-D
  • Child
  • CAFAS
  • CBCL
  • BRIEF
  • HCSBS


Information By: Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati

Dates:
Date Received: December 7, 2006
Date Started: March 2007
Date Completion:
Last Updated: September 18, 2014
Last Verified: September 2014