Evaluating a Novel Sleep-Focused Mind-Body Rehabilitative Program for Veterans with mTBI and Other Polytrauma Symptoms: An RCT Study.

摘要

The purpose of the study is to evaluate and compare the clinical benefit of two sleep-focused therapeutic interventions: Mind-Body Bridging (MBB) and Supportive Education (SED) on sleep and comorbid mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) symptoms. We will recruit 142 OEF/OIF veterans with mTBI, who first will undergo a comprehensive evaluation performed by our medical and psychological staff, and then will be assigned to one of the two programs (MBB or SED). Each veteran will receive a total of 6 hours of sleep-focused treatment, in 2-hour sessions once a week over 3 consecutive weeks. Each patient will be evaluated again after treatment has ended. Three months after treatment ends, patients will have another evaluation. Six months after treatment ends, patients will complete follow-up questionnaires. These assessments will help us to evaluate both the efficacy of the therapy programs and document any differences in individual treatment response. Additionally, the project will explore underlying mechanisms of action involved in treatment benefits resulting from MBB and SED by using a biomarker of stress as a proxy indicator of intermediate mechanisms activated by MBB and SED.