Epidemiological Study of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Sequelae Caused by Blast Exposure During Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom
Abstract
We accomplished Institutional Review Board (IRB) full approval of our initial submission, protocol amendment, and subject recruitment advertisements both locally (McGuire VAMC) and at Army Headquarters (USAMRMC). A subsequent request for an additional Walter Reed Army Medical Center IRB approval by our Military partner study site (Kenner Health Clinic, Fort Lee, VA) was completed during Year Two, along with the addition of Marines Corps Base Quantico. Permission from the Navy IRB was granted to allow for review by the WRAMC IRB in lieu of an additional review. Recruitment of research assistants continues as staff attrition has occurred (currently have 3 full-time research assistants). Study procedures, recruitment, data management, and analyses have been refined through meetings, reviews, consultations, and through review of lessons learned during completed data collection efforts to date. Subject recruitment and protocol implementation commenced at the VAMC site in 12/08 and at Fort Lee Army Base in 6/09. Through 8/31/10, eightythree (83) subjects have been accrued through Polytrauma Network Site Clinic screening, and on-site enrollment at Fort Lee, VA and USMC Base Quantico. Pending data analysis, most subjects appear to meet symptom criteria for PCS. Conclusions to Date: Enrollment has commenced and continues. Study personnel continue to work with the military partners to improve access to post-deployed service members. The accumulating sample should also be suitable for intervention trials under development. To ensure a sample representative of the target population, we are addressing means to improve access to active duty service members at additional recruitment sites while pursuing expanding outreach to those at existing partner sites.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA549204
Entities
People
- William C. Walker