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

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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 Description
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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 effectiveness of CAPS will be assessed after treatment and at 6- and 12-month follow-up evaluations.

Official Title
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Improving Mental Health Outcomes of Child Brain Injury

Conditions
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Traumatic Brain Injury

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Counselor-assisted problem solving (CAPS)
* Behavioral: Internet-resource comparison (IRC)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Moderate to severe TBI that occurred within the last 6 months Overnight hospital stay English-speaking Parent must be willing to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Child does not live with parents or guardian Child or parent has history of hospitalization for psychiatric problem TBI is a result of child abuse Child suffered a nonblunt injury (e.g., projectile wound, stroke, drowning, or other form of asphyxiation) Diagnosed with moderate or severe mental retardation, autism, or a significant developmental disability

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 12 Years
Maximum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: CAPS<br>Participants will receive the Internet-based counselor-assisted problem-solving group treatment | Behavioral: Counselor-assisted problem solving (CAPS)<br>* In CAPS, a trained counselor will guide families through a 6-month structured online problem-solving and skill-building program via one-on-one videoconference sessions.<br>|
| Active Comparator: IRC<br>Participants will receive the Internet resource comparison group treatment | Behavioral: Internet-resource comparison (IRC)<br>* Families in the IRC group will receive computers, high speed internet access, and links to brain injury information and resources, but not the CAPS website content.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Parent report measures |  | 5 years | 
| Teen self-report measures |  | 5 years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Neuropsychological testing |  | 5 years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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TBI, intracranial edema, brain edema, craniocerebral trauma, head injury, brain hemorrhage, traumatic, subdural hematoma, brain concussion, head injuries, closed, epidural hematoma, extra-axial hemorrhage, cortical contusion