Telephone Delivery of Cognitively Augmented Behavioral Activation (CABA)

Telephone Delivery of Cognitively Augmented Behavioral Activation (CABA) for Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is highly prevalent and frequently comorbid among Veterans and Service Members. Many of these individuals sustain more than one TBI over the course of their military careers, often with little recovery time between exposures placing them at increased risk for persistent cognitive, psychological, and psychosocial difficulties that impact daily functioning and life satisfaction.

The short-term objective of this study is to examine the efficacy of the manualized, 10-week, telephone delivery of Tele-CABA for improving cognitive and adaptive functioning. The long-term objective of this study is to develop an accessible and acceptable intervention that can be broadly disseminated to address the complex rehabilitation needs of Veterans and Service Members. The overall goal of the Tele-CABA intervention is to reduce negative cognitive and psychiatric health outcomes for Veterans and Service Members with a history of TBI, promote personal resilience, and to design an intervention that is accessible and acceptable to patients struggling to recover from TBI.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Veterans
• Active Duty Service Members
• History of TBI (confirmed by TBI interview)
• Self-reported cognitive complaints (as indicated on the NSI)
• Able to communicate by telephone

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active suicidal intent
• History of bipolar disorder
• History of psychotic disorder
• Decisionally impaired
• Non-English speaking