Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Study
Non-pharmacological Treatments for Insomnia in Chronic TBI
Research study conducted at the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Hospital
Skills: teamwork, study design, methods selection
Problem
Although Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is efficacious, the optimal target populations for its major components has not yet been well-defined for veterans with chronic mTBI.
Objective
We propose to address this gap and develop tools for clinicians to identify the best treatment for insomnia for veterans with chronic mTBI.
Team
Primary Investigator - Dr. Ansgar Furst, PhD.,
Research assistants - Alison Buchanan, Rayma Williams, and Lilly Wu
Participants
Veterans with chronic mTBI and insomnia complaints

Design
Two treatments, Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I ) and an active control, will be compared in a randomized clinical trial with a parallel groups design. Data will be collected prior to the beginning of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, and at the end of a 6-month follow-up.


My Role
Research Assistant
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Created study protocols, regulatory materials, and training materials
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Designed recruitment materials (flyers, brochures, etc.)
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Trained 2 research assistants in clinical interviewing
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Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team (MDs, PhDs, Clinical Psychologists, Post-Doctoral Researchers) to narrow down research question and define protocols