North Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Model System

The goal of this project is to improve the health and function of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) through evidence-based clinical care and innovative research. The objectives are to: (1) provide comprehensive rehabilitation to individuals with TBI, (2) assess long-term outcomes of individuals with TBI, (3) expand delivery of an evidence-based weight-loss intervention to enhance access and reach underserved groups (site-specific project), (4) explore trajectories of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in the first year after TBI (module project), and (5) disseminate findings to stakeholders. Project outcomes include: (1) provision of a comprehensive continuum of care for individuals with TBI, (2) enrollment of 35 participants per year into the TBI Model System with high rates of follow-up, (3) efficacy data supporting telehealth delivery of a weight-loss intervention following TBI that is scalable across the United States, (4) culturally relevant Spanish and English versions of the weight-loss program for people with TBI, (5) foundational data on prevalence and trajectories of PTSD and ANS dysfunction available for use across all TBI Model System centers, and (6) resources for individuals with TBI and their care partners. Project outputs include a scalable weight-loss intervention, plain language factsheets on PTSD as well as ANS dysfunction after TBI disseminated locally and through the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center, scientific papers and presentations of study results, stakeholder and student workshops, and educational resources on TBI for individuals and care partners.