Epidemiological Study of Mild Tramautic Brain Injury Sequelae Cause by Blast Exposure During Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom
Abstract
Preliminary Results: Accomplishments include initial and ongoing IRB review & approval of all initial submissions, protocol amendments, recruitment advertisements, serious adverse events reporting, and ongoing Richmond VAMC and off-site recruitment activities. We continue to submit to both McGuire and WRAMC IRBs. During Year-4, USMC Camp Lejeune and Richmond VAMC have been our most productive recruitment sites. The appropriate US Navy IRB agreed to accept the findings of the WRAMC IRB. Research assistant positions were reduced from 3 to 2 full time employees. Study procedures, recruitment, data management, and analyses have been refined through meetings, reviews, consultations, and through lessons learned during completed data collection efforts to date. Through 8/31/2012, two hundred and seven (207) subjects have been enrolled through RVAMC Polytrauma Network Site Clinic screening and Polytrauma Inpatient Rehabilitation Center, recruitment letters mailed, radio advertisements, posters in the clinics, and on-site enrollment at Fort Lee, VA, USMC Base Camp Lejeune, USMC Base Quantico, and Fort Lee, VA. 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. To ensure a sample representative of the target population, we continue to improve access to active duty service members at additional recruitment sites. At the time of this report, we have four active recruitment sites (see body of report). Due to now chronic radiology technician shortages at McGuire VAMC, Dr. Walker has cancelled plans for the proposed Diffusion Tensor Imaging sub-study. Any study outcomes (conclusions) await data analysis phase.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA575405
Entities
People
- Jerome R. Heimiller
- William C. Walker