North Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Model System
The North Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (NTTBIMS) is a unique research and clinical collaborative between Baylor Scott and White Institute for Rehabilitation and UT Southwestern Medical Center. The NTTBIMS is one of 16 centers nationwide that was awarded a competitive grant by the National Institute of Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, due to its recognition as a national leader in TBI research and patient care.
Purpose of the TBI Model System
- Deliver coordinated rehabilitation care to patients with TBI
- Track the health of patients over their life-time to better understand and support their recovery
- Conduct innovative research to improve patient outcomes
- Participate in collaborative, multi-site research with other TBIMS centers across the country
- Provide resources to patients and families
The North Texas TBI Model System has been funded since 2002 and provides the largest continuum of care to individuals with TBI in North Texas and surrounding states. This continuum includes emergency medical services, acute care, rehabilitation, and outpatient services with partners including Baylor Scott and White Health, Parkland Health and Hospital System, and John Peter Smith Hospital. The NTTBIMS pools the efforts and talents of caring individuals with expertise in areas such as rehabilitation, neuropsychology, and therapy at the leading medical institutions in North Texas with a long-standing history of collaboration.
North Texas Local Project 2017-2022
Efficacy of an evidence-based weight-loss intervention post TBI.
Investigators
Simon Driver, PhD (PI); Shannon Juengst, PhD (co-I)
Importance: Weight gain is common among people with TBI, with 70% of NTTBIMS patients being overweight/obese 10-years post injury. Weight gain greatly increases the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, pulmonary and heart disease. Approaches to weight-loss are lacking, yet necessary, due to the unique physiological and cognitive needs of persons with TBI. There is evidence that interventions that improve physical activity and healthy eating behaviors concurrently offer greatest potential for weight-loss. The Group Lifestyle Balance (GLB) intervention is a 12-month, evidence-based weight-loss program that has been used extensively with the general population, but not with people with TBI.
Goal: We will conduct a randomized controlled trial to examine the efficacy of the GLB-TBI on primary (weight) and secondary outcomes (step count; waist circumference; blood pressure; HbA1c and lipid panel; functional measures; risk of diabetes; and quality of life) at 3, 6, and 12 months from baseline. We will also develop and use a mobile app to compliment the GLB-TBI and support participant’s weight-loss overtime.
Expected Outcome: Successful completion of this study will provide an evidence-based program, specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of people with TBI, which supports weight-loss and improves overall health and function. The intervention will be scalable to community agencies serving people with TBI, ensuring a national impact.
Collaborative Projects 2017-2022
- Physical activity and its relationships with cognition and secondary conditions after TBI; Lead: University of Washington TBIMS; PI for North Texas TBIMS: Simon Driver
- Health literacy following traumatic brain injury and impact on health-related outcomes; Lead: TIRR TBIMS; PI for NTTBIMS: Simon Driver
- Development and assessment of crosswalks in the TBIMS database; Lead: Craig Hospital TBIMS; PI for NTTBIMS: Shannon Juengst
- Problem solving training for care partners; Lead: NTTBIMS; PI for NTTBIMS: Shannon Juengst
North Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Model System Investigators
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation
Simon Driver, PhD | Principal Investigator
Rosemary Dubiel, DO | Investigator
Marie Dahdah, PhD | Investigator
Monica Bennett, PhD | Biostatistician
Cindy Dunklin, BS, CCRC | Project Manager
Aimee Muir, MBA | Clinical Research Assistant
Librada Callender, MPH, CCRC | Epidemiologist
Megan Reynolds, MS | Research Coordinator
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Kathleen R. Bell, MD | Co-Principal Investigator
Shannon Juengst, PhD | Investigator
Caryn Harper, MS, CCRC | Project Manager
Valerie Silva | Research Coordinator
About Our Funding
The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90DPTB0013). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this website do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.