Study of Multimodal Therapy Using an Enriched Cafe Environment for Recovery After Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to find out if an enhanced environment called the Metro Caf, which uses a multimodal approach combining several therapies, improves recovery outcomes better than traditional therapy for people with chronic traumatic brain injury. The study focuses on measuring therapy dosage involving speech, cognition, and limb movements during Metro Caf sessions and how this relates to clinical outcomes. It compares participants receiving Metro Caf therapy to those who do not to see if function improves more with this treatment. Participants assigned to the Metro Caf group will act as volunteer workers in a caf setting for two hours a day, three days a week, over 6 to 8 weeks, completing at least 18 sessions. They will greet and serve customers, manage food supplies, and perform housekeeping tasks with help from a supervising researcher. One session per week includes guidance and direction from a therapist. The control group will not receive treatment during the 2-month period between assessments and will only complete study assessments. During the study, both participants and their caregivers will complete surveys before and after treatment. Participants will also undergo functional assessments of upper and lower limb function, gait, and balance at the start and about 10 weeks after treatment. The main outcome measured is limb motion analysis. Secondary outcomes include walking speed, arm function tests, and quality of life assessments. The study runs from April 2025 to January 2029 and is sponsored by MetroHealth Medical Center.

Multimodal, Enriched Environment for Rehabilitation in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury