A Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial of Family-Problem–Solving Treatment for Adolescent Brain Injury

Abstract Introduction Sleep-related breathing disorders are common after TBI. To date, two single site studies have reported divergent findings in post-TBI patients with one reporting predominantly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA, Holcomb et al., 2016) and the other central sleep apnea (CSA, Webster and Bell, 1998). The purpose of this analysis is to explore prevalence, demographics, and injury characteristics of patients with a clinical diagnosis of CSA in a recently-completed multicenter comparative-effectiveness trial during inpatient rehabilitation following moderate to severe TBI. Methods Participants in a six-center diagnostic comparative effectiveness trial underwent Level-1 polysomnography (PSG) during inpatient rehabilitation for TBI. Studies were scored at a centralized scoring center by one of two certified PSG technicians with final interpretation by a board-certified sleep medicine physician. Results 21 of 248 (8.5%) participants evidenced elevated CSA indices >5. Predominant CSA was rare (n=3 [1.2%], age range: 36-59; 100% male; 33-52 days post-TBI). One participant was on opioid, anti-depressant and antiepileptic drugs, one was on an antiepileptic, and another was on an opioid. PAP therapy was not initiated during PSG thus there was no treatment-emergent CSA. All had a central apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in the moderate to severe range (29-49). Two out of the three had a GCS <8 and one participant had a GCS of 14. Conclusion In this multi-center clinical trial, predominant CSA was rare. The common practice of reducing polypharmacy in order to minimize sedation and optimize mental status in specialized inpatient brain-injury rehabilitation programs may contribute to the low CSA incidence in this cohort. Attention to medication side-effects and their influence on sleep-related breathing should be routinely considered. Support PCORI (CER-1511-33005), GDHS (W91YTZ-13-C-0015) for DVBIC, NIDILRR (90DPTB0008-03-00; 90DPTB0013-01-00).

Download Full-text

Recovery Trajectories of Child and Family Outcomes Following Online Family Problem-Solving Therapy for Children and Adolescents after Traumatic Brain Injury

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617719000778 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (09) ◽

pp. 941-949 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Shari L. Wade ◽

Allison P. Fisher ◽

Eloise E. Kaizar ◽

Keith O. Yeates ◽

H. Gerry Taylor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Behavior Problems ◽

Family Functioning ◽

Group Differences ◽

Significant Group ◽

Problem Solving Therapy ◽

Family Outcomes ◽

Family Problem

AbstractObjectives: We conducted joint analyses from five randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of online family problem-solving therapy (OFPST) for children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to identify child and parent outcomes most sensitive to OFPST and trajectories of recovery over time. Methods: We examined data from 359 children with complicated mild to severe TBI, aged 5–18, randomized to OFPST or a control condition. Using profile analyses, we examined group differences on parent-reported child (internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, executive function behaviors, social competence) and family outcomes (parental depression, psychological distress, family functioning, parent–child conflict). Results: We found a main effect for measure for both child and family outcomes [F(3, 731) = 7.35, p < .001; F(3, 532) = 4.79, p = .003, respectively], reflecting differing degrees of improvement across measures for both groups. Significant group-by-time interactions indicated that children and families in the OFPST group had fewer problems than controls at both 6 and 18 months post baseline [t(731) = −5.15, p < .001, and t(731) = −3.90, p = .002, respectively, for child outcomes; t(532) = −4.81, p < .001, and t(532) = −3.80, p < .001, respectively, for family outcomes]. Conclusions: The results suggest limited differences in the measures’ responsiveness to treatment while highlighting OFPST’s utility in improving both child behavior problems and parent/family functioning. Group differences were greatest at treatment completion and after extended time post treatment.

Download Full-text