Multimodal, Enriched Environment for Rehabilitation
MetroHealth Medical Center
Summary
The goal of this study is to learn if a enhanced environment (Metro Café) with multi model approach (an approach that combines several therapies) in chronic traumatic brain injury improves outcomes of recovery better than traditional therapy. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Determine the amount of therapy dosage (speech, cognition, arm and leg movements) obtained during the Metro Café therapy session. * Evaluate the connection between environmental enrichment dosage (the Metro Café) and clinical outcome scores. Researchers will compare Metro Café Treatment to those who do not receive this treatment to see if better improvements in function after a traumatic brain injury are seen in the Metro Café Treatment Participants will train in the Metro Cafe during the 2-month gap between assessments, for a total of 18 training sessions, each up to 2 hours, 3 times per week. Participants will greet and serve customers drinks and snacks, maintain food supplies at the counters and performs housekeeping tasks with advice and assistance from a supervising researcher as needed,
Description
People who have had a brain injury and their caregiver, are being asked to participate in this study. After a brain injury it is a common to have cognitive and physical limitations. These problems can lead to the inability to care for yourself, lack of motivation, isolation, and loss of employment. Therapies are commonly prescribed to address these issues. The standard of care is to prescribe physical, occupational and speech therapy. If you are thinking about this study, you have probably tried some of these treatments. Therapies typically address walking, balance, reaching and grasping as we…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * moderate to severe neurological diagnosis as diagnosed by a clinician, * ability to comprehend multi step instructions, * ability to independently balance with weight support, * physical deficits resulting in need for additional functional goals, * ability to endure 2 hours of weight-supported standing, * ability to provide informed consent, * basic communication ability, * currently discharged from therapy, * \>3 months post-injury, * \>18 years of age at time of enrollment Exclusion Criteria: * Adults unable to consent * Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, c…
Interventions
- BehavioralCafe Therapy
Participants will be volunteer workers for two hours per day, three days per week for 6-8 weeks, alongside a trained researcher. Participants will complete at least 18 sessions of training within the time frame. Participants will run the Café with supervision from a researcher, serving customers prepackaged food and drinks per our protocol, along with guidance and direction from a therapist, once a week. Participants will be responsible for interacting with customers and arranging supplies. On a weekly basis, participants will be asked how they feel (for example tired, stressed, overwhelmed, etc) before and after their session and to rate how well they performed in the café.
Location
- MetroHealth Medical CenterCleveland, Ohio