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Strengthening Neuro-Cognitive Skills for Veterans with TBI

This study is for Post 9/11 Veterans aged 21-60 who have experienced a mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) more than six months ago and are experiencing cognitive difficulties like problems with working memory. The study aims to help Veterans improve their attention, memory, and ability to stay calm and focused to achieve their goals. Researchers are testing two different approaches delivered remotely through tele-rehabilitation: BrainStrong-GSR (Goal-directed State Regulation Training) and BrainStrong-OPT (Optimization of Brain Functioning). The main goal is to see if these interventions improve how well participants process information two weeks after the training ends. The study plans to enroll 120 participants, but its current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study will randomly assign 120 eligible Veterans to one of two behavioral training approaches.
What's involved
Participants will receive training for approximately five weeks, delivered remotely via tele-rehabilitation and digital apps.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be assessed for selective information processing two weeks after the intervention ends.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT04109027

Strengthening Neuro-Cognitive Skills for Success in School, Work and Beyond

Recruiting
NAAges 21–60InterventionalTreatment
VA Office of Research and Development
~120 participants
Updated 2025-11-17 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:BrainStrong-GSRBrainStrong-OPT

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Selective Information Processing
Measured over Change from baseline to 2 weeks post-intervention

Conditions

TBI
Cognitive Dysfunction

Explore related trials

Cognitive DysfunctionTraumatic Encephalopathy

NCT04109027

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • VA Northern California Health Care System, Mather, CA

    Sacramento, Californiastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Anthony J. W. Chen, MD MA · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · VA Northern California Health Care System, Mather, CA

Who to contact

Jeanette M Cope
[email protected]
(916) 843-7512
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Post 9/11 Veterans
age 21-60; with history of mild-moderate TBI (including reported mechanism of head injury and alteration of consciousness);
in the chronic, stable phase of recovery (\>6 months from injury); with at least 1 self-reported cognitive symptom, --including difficulties with working memory; and interested in goal-setting and intensive training.

Exclusion

Severely apathetic/abulic, aphasic, or other reasons for being unable or unwilling to participate in training;
severe cognitive dysfunction (below 2 standard deviations on two composite cognitive domains);
schizophrenia;
bipolar disorder;
history of other neurological disorders;
current medical illnesses that may alter mental status or disrupt participation in the study;
active psychotropic medication changes;
symptom magnification or malingering.

What this trial measures

  • Selective Information ProcessingChange from baseline to 2 weeks post-intervention

    In order to test a primary hypothesis related to potential intervention mechanisms, the investigators will use the well-established Automated Operation Span Task (OSPAN) to measure working memory in the presence of distractions. Specifically, the OSPAN sums correctly recalled and ordered items from a memory set in the presence of distractors. The investigators elected to use this psychometric measure due to its sensitivity, precision, and test-retest stability in order to maximize the ability to detect longitudinal changes on the primary outcome of interest.