Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation 

Many thanks for your interest in our research on traumatic brain injury rehabilitation!

This page is for people who have sustained a traumatic brain injury, and their families, who may be interested in participating in our research.

Our research takes place at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute in Toronto (Bathurst street between Lawrence and Wilson), a world class centre for the study of the human brain.

 

Participants in our research have access to the cutting-edge brain imaging and behavioral technologies for understanding and improving function following traumatic brain injury.

Our current research involves two separate phases.

The first phase involves assessing the effects of traumatic brain injury on brain function and cognitive abilities. We will use electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity, and a combination of computer and paper based tasks and questionnaires to measure cognitive abilities. All of our techniques are similar or identical to those used widely in hospitals everyday. Safety and confidentiality are our foremost concerns.

 

In order to be eligible for this phase, you would need to:

• 
  Have had a recent traumatic brain injury (i.e., a blow to the head followed by a disruption in consciousness)
• Not have been diagnosed with another neurological (e.g. epilepsy) or any major psychiatric condition (e.g. schizophrenia).
• Be at least 18 years old, and fluent in English.
• Be able to provide informed consent to all aspects of the study and be able to participate in two testing sessions (about 8 hours in total).

The second phase of the study involves a 3-week training program with one-on-one sessions with a registered occupational therapist. Brain activity and cognitive abilities will be measured before and after the training program to evaluate its effectiveness.

 

To participate in the second phase of the study, you would need to:

• 
  Complete the first phase of the study
• Have cognitive difficulties in one of the areas targeted by the training programs (such as attention, memory, or organizational abilities).
• Be able to participate in a training session twice a week for 3 weeks (about 12 hours total) at Baycrest, and to participate in a follow-up testing session (about 6 hours total).

For more information and to determine eligibility for this study, please contact Priya Kumar 416-785-2500, ext. 3104 or email tbi@rotman-baycrest.on.ca.

All participants will be remunerated for their time and expenses.