Feasibility RCT of an Adapted Cognitive Rehabilitation Program for Refugees and Asylum Seekers With TBI and Cognitive Impairment
Massachusetts General Hospital
Summary
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital are looking to see if a program created to help improve thinking and memory can work for refugees with traumatic brain injury (TBI). They're checking if this program is practical and if people find it helpful. The study will have two groups. Participants will complete a first questionnaire and then be assigned to a group by chance. One group will participate in the program immediately and then answer the second questionnaire (approximately 3 months after the first questionnaire they did). Then they will wait and then answer the third and final questionnaire approximately 6 months after the first one. The second group will wait and answer the second questionnaire approximately 3 months after the first one. Then they will receive the program and answer the third and final questionnaire (approximately 6 months after the first one they did.)
Description
There are many refugees and asylum seekers in the world ("refugees" from here on for simplicity). Many of them have suffered from traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a result of traumatic experiences like torture and interpersonal violence. Because of one or more TBI's, they can experience cognitive issues, or issues with learning, thinking, concentration and memory. Cognitive rehabilitation can be one effective way to reduce the burden of cognitive issues following TBI. Cognitive rehabilitation refers to a functionally oriented service of cognitive activities that can aim to lessen cognitive impa…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Identify as an asylum seeker, refugee or have been granted asylum or other form of humanitarian relief. 2. Mild or moderate TBI sustained after the age of 18 3. Age 18-65 4. Subjective cognitive impairment 5. English or Spanish language proficiency 6. Ability to provide verbal informed consent 7. Ability and willingness to answer questionnaires and participation in the Intervention Exclusion Criteria: 1. Participation in cognitive rehabilitation treatment current or in past 3 months 2. Severe TBI or TBI only sustained under the age of 18 3. Diagnosis of bipolar, psych…
Interventions
- BehavioralA Trauma-informed, Paraprofessional Delivered Virtual Cognitive Rehabilitation Program
The intervention will involve 8 proposed individual sessions conducted virtually by a trained bilingual paraprofessional. The intervention will be provided in English or Spanish depending on the participant's preference. The sessions cover psychoeducation about TBI and related symptoms like depression and anxiety, and cognitive activities to address cognitive symptoms (e.g., relaxation strategies and exercises around improving attention, concentration, learning, and memory). Each session covers the topic, real-life examples and practice, and exercises to do outside of the sessions.
Location
- Massachusetts General HospitalBoston, Massachusetts