๐Ÿ›๏ธ Verified NIH Record โ€ข Updated 2026-02-25

A Pragmatic Rehabilitation Intervention: The Active Rehab Study (NCT05320822)

A Pragmatic Rehabilitation Intervention to Supplement Progressive Return to Activity Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Service Members (SMs): The Active Rehab Study

๐ŸŸข Recruiting Observational / Diagnostic ๐Ÿ“‹ Clinical Research Protocol Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

๐Ÿฉบ Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

The strategic objective of this research line is to examine improving short- and long-term outcomes for soldiers following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The technical objectives are to: 1) conduct a Phase 1 quasi-experimental pragmatic trial testing the potential benefit of provider directed active rehabilitation therapies ("Active Rehab") in accelerating return of injured soldiers back to active duty and improving cognitive and functional limitations following mTBI, and 2) operationalize and disseminate a clinical active rehabilitation algorithm for use in military settings. The central hypothesis is that an active rehabilitation algorithm in the context of the progressive return to activity will improve clinical and functional outcomes, including time to return to duty. The Active Rehab intervention expands on progressive return to activity guidelines by providing activities that can be completed and progressed during Stage 1 of the progressive return to activity protocol, when the participant is at least 24 hours postinjury. Active Rehab includes an adaptive paradigm based on personal characteristics, symptom presentation, and duty requirements that integrate with current progressive return to activity guidelines. Activity progressions consider the initial presentation and changes in participant status during treatment, with the goal of safely accelerating recovery. Severity and presence of symptoms will guide progression: worse, same or better as reported by the participant.

Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.

Location: United States Special Operations Command โ€” Fort Liberty, North Carolina

Age range: 18 Years to 99 Years

๐Ÿงช Interventions in This Study

  • Active Rehab (Group 2) (OTHER)
  • Progressive Return to Activity (Group 1) (OTHER)

๐Ÿ“‹ "Do I Qualify?" โ€” 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Full eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria โ†—

๐Ÿ“ All Participating Trial Locations (2 Sites)

  • United States Special Operations Command โ€” Fort Liberty, North Carolina
  • Womack Army Medical Center โ€” Fort Liberty, North Carolina

๐Ÿ“ž Contact the Study Coordinator

Phone: (919) 962-2702

Email: johnakay@email.unc.edu

Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA ยง 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

More studies in Concussion, Brain

๐Ÿ’ก How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
๐Ÿ›๏ธ View Official NIH Record โ†—