Optimizing Cognitive, Environmental, and Neuromotor Stimulation in Traumatic Brain Injury

Summary

Patients with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at elevated risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Improvements in TBI treatment may mitigate this risk. Complex motor activities, which combine physical and cognitive demands, have been shown to have well established neurocognitive benefits. This study seeks to address the need for novel TBI interventions optimized for adults with history of TBI by determining the effectiveness of an immersive computer game designed to integrating complex cognitive-motor interventions.

Conditions

• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Dementia Alzheimers
• Military Activity

Interventions

DEVICE

MindPod Dolphin

The immersive video game being tested in this study is called Bandit the Dolphin, developed by neurologist Dr. John Krakauer, and engineers in the Brain, Learning, Animation, and Movement Lab at Johns Hopkins. Bandit the Dolphin provides an oceanic environment in which the individual's arm movements control a simulated dolphin. The neuromotor effects of this game have been designed to be used in the clinical setting to rehabilitate arm and hand function following stroke. The game has further been modified to a Microsoft Kinect-based system and piloted for play in non-laboratory settings among community-dwelling adults. The game offers a unique combination of skilled arm movements plus varying levels of cognitive challenge. In this way, the individual's arms are challenged the same way the legs would be when walking in a complex, outdoor environment. Importantly, the participant "plays" while standing, thus engaging the whole body in this novel multi-sensorial experience.

BEHAVIORAL

10 Keys to Healthy Aging

The "10 Keys"™ to Healthy Aging Program in an evidence-based program that originated from the University of Pittsburgh Center for Aging and Population Health. This educates and empowers older adults to reach personal goals and help others to so in the community as well. It is designed to teach older adults how to reduce the risk of disease over the aging process by promoting healthy lifestyle changes with the most recent established scientific guidelines. The 10 Keys program also aims to empower individuals to be health ambassadors in the individual's own families and communities, teaching individuals to 'Share the Wealth on Health'. Participants will work towards personal health goal(s) adapted to the participant's lifestyle and abilities.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• United States Department of Defense

  collaborator FED

• Johns Hopkins University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Matthew E Peters, MD · Johns Hopkins University

• Michelle C Carlson, PhD · Johns Hopkins University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-01-25

Primary Completion

2024-09-03

Completion

2024-09-03

FDA Device

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations