An interventional study of Group Lifestyle Balance™ and Attention Control Group in Traumatic Brain Injury, sponsored by Baylor Research Institute. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 64 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-10-06.
Sponsored by Baylor Research Institute · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other
The purpose of this RCT is to examine the efficacy of a Group Lifestyle Balance™ (GLB) program adapted for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) on primary (weight) and secondary outcomes at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months from enrollment into the program.
Weight gain is common among people with TBI. Weight gain greatly increases the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, pulmonary and heart disease. Approaches to weight-loss are lacking, yet necessary, due to the unique physiological and cognitive needs of persons with TBI. There is evidence that interventions that improve physical activity and healthy eating behaviors concurrently offer greatest potential for weight-loss. The Group Lifestyle Balance™ (GLB) intervention is a 12-month, evidence-based weight-loss program that has been used extensively with the general population, but not with people with TBI. The investigators modified the program to meet the needs of people with a TBI (GLB-TBI) and a pilot study with 20 individuals with TBI demonstrated that participation resulted in 5% weight-loss (10.2±13lbs) warranting a rigorous RCT. In addition, the investigators propose to integrate a mobile app into the GLB-TBI as 94% of pilot participants indicated that text messaging to support weight-loss would have been "very helpful" to boost motivation.
The proposed study consists of four specific aims.
Specific Aim 1: To examine the efficacy of the GLB-TBI compared to an attention control at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months from baseline using a randomized controlled trial.
Specific Aim 2: To examine participant compliance to GLB-TBI intervention components and its association with their outcomes:
Aim 2.1: To determine participant compliance with specific components of the GLB-TBI, including: (1) session attendance (2) self-monitoring of dietary and activity behaviors and (3) activity tracking of step count through accelerometer data.
Aim 2.2: To determine if compliance with the GLB-TBI is associated with improvement in primary (weight) and secondary outcomes (step count; waist circumference; blood pressure; HbA1c and lipid panel; functional measures; and quality of life).
Specific Aim 3: To assess feasibility (compliance, usability) of adding a smartphone application at week 12 of the GLB-TBI program and attention control condition to enhance participant engagement.
Specific Aim 4: Ascertain maintenance of primary (weight) and additional secondary outcomes (step count; waist circumference; blood pressure; HbA1c and lipid panel; risk of diabetes; and quality of life), compliance with and effect of the GLB-TBI and Attention Control App at 18 months.
Aim 4.1: To evaluate and integrate deep phenotype profiling (e.g. proteomics, metabolomics) and correlate findings with rehabilitation therapy and outcomes in patients with TBI.
1,775 studies on the registry are indexed under Brain Injuries, Traumatic; 448 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 57 is close to the median of 56 across 1,133 interventional studies indexed under Brain Injuries, Traumatic.
Browse Brain Injuries, Traumatic studies →Baylor Research Institute is the lead sponsor of 219 studies on the registry; 49 are open to participants now.
Of its 23 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 9 (39%) have results posted.
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Exclusion Criteria:
The GLB program, adapted for individuals with TBI, will be delivered to participants over a 12-month period, divided into 22 in-person or virtual, group sessions. The intervention promotes 5-7% weight-loss by reducing calories and increasing exercise (150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week).
Behavioral: Group Lifestyle Balance™
The attention control group will meet at the same frequency as the GLB-TBI group over a 12-month period. The attention control group will receive education composed of the content from the TBI Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center's factsheets. No education on weight-loss strategies will be provided.
Other: Attention Control Group
The Group Lifestyle Balance™ (GLB) program is a self-management intervention that has been shown to result in weight-loss and reduce the risk for Type 2 diabetes through increased physical activity and healthy eating behaviors in the general population. The GLB program curriculum used in this RCT will be adapted for individuals with TBI.
The attention control group will receive the same contact or "attention" as the intervention group. The attention control group will meet at the same frequency as the intervention group. Education for the sessions will be composed of content from the TBI Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center's factsheets. General topics will include discussion on (1) healthy brain and effects of TBI on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning, (2) expectations for recovery, (3) preventative and management strategies for common TBI sequela (e.g. inability and impulsivity), (4) stress management, (5), signs and symptoms of depression, and (6) strategies for effective communication.
Change in weight
Weight will be obtained using the same scale over the study period that is accessible to people with and without a mobility device (e.g. walker; wheelchair)
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6, months, 12 months, and 18 months
Step Count
The Garmin Vivofit will be worn for the study duration to measure physical activity data.
Time frame: 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
Waist and Arm Circumference
Waist circumference will be measured at the umbilicus and mild-upper arm circumference following American College of Sports Medicine guidelines.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
Blood Pressure
Using an automatic cuff (average of three readings, patient seated) diastolic and systolic scores will be recorded.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
HbA1c and Lipid Panel
Fasting venous sample will be obtained for blood glucose, HDL/LDL, cholesterol, and triglyceride level.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
Risk of Diabetes
The Framingham Heart Study diabetes risk score will be calculated using predictors including age, gender, fasting glucose, body mass index, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and parental history. Risk score calculator and regression model are free and used in GLB weight-loss trials. Each risk predictor is assigned points ranging from. Risk factors are combined and a total score is calculated, with higher scores designating greater 8-year risk.. The age range for this score is 45 years or older, and therefore only individuals over this age will have calculated scores. Furthermore, the minimum cut-off score is 3.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
Satisfaction with Life
Satisfaction with life will be measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The SWLS is a 5-item scale designed to measure global cognitive judgements of one's life satisfaction. Participants indicate how much they agree or disagree with each of the 5 items using a 7-point scale that ranges from 7-strongly agree to 1-strongly disagree. Scores are added together and a total score is calculated, with higher scores signifying higher satisfaction with life and lower scores signifying lower satisfaction with life.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
Biomarkers
TSH, Cortisol, IL-6, THNF, BDNF, IGF, and VEGF will be collected.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
Assesses walking speed in (m/s) which is correlated to mobility in the community, capacity to perform ADLs, risk of falls, re-hospitalization, and risk of cognitive decline.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
Assesses distance walked (rolled for wheelchair users) over 6 minutes as a sub-maximal test of aerobic capacity.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
Social Support assessed by the Social Support for Diet and Exercise Behaviors Scale
Social Support for Diet and Exercise Behaviors Scale is a 23-item survey including four subscales: support for healthy eating (5 items); support for physical activity (11 items); social undermining for healthy eating (5 items) and physical activity (2 items). Each item is rated on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 none; 5 very often), with respondents asked to rate support from family, friends, and coworkers. Higher scores represent greater support and internal consistency ranged from Cronbach's α 0.72-0.76.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
App Feasibility and Usability using the Feasibility and Usability Survey
The Feasibility and Usability survey includes 14 items that assesses the participant's subjective experience with the App, level of difficulty, prompting sequence, length, and understanding. Scores above 3 on the scale (1 \[totally disagree\] - 5 \[totally agree\]) indicate that the App was easy to use.
Time frame: 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
Neighborhood Walkability assessed by the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS)
NEWS assesses residents' perception of neighborhood design features, categorized into subscales related to physical activity, including residential density, land use mix (including both indices of proximity and accessibility), street connectivity, infrastructure for walking/cycling, neighborhood aesthetics, traffic and crime safety, and neighborhood satisfaction. Subscales are scored as a mean of items. Higher scores denote higher walkability.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months
Self-Reported Activities of Health using the Self-Reported Activities of Health for Health Promotion Scale
Measure includes 28 items that assess health practices among people with disabilities and yields a total Health Practices score plus 4 subscales scores regarding Exercise, Nutrition, Health Practices, and Psychological Well Being. Items are rated on a 5-point scale from 0 'not at all' to 4 'completely.' Scores range from 0-28 with higher scores indicating higher exercise self-efficacy.
Time frame: Baseline, 12 months, and 18 months
Stressful Life Events assessed by the Holmes and Rahe Stress Inventory
This inventory consists of 40 life events and asks the participant to recall if any of the events happened within the previous year (e.g., death of spouse; personal illness; change in sleep). Endorsement of these events are totaled and higher scores indicate a greater amount of stressful life events. Point values for the Holmes and Rahe Stress Inventory were weighted and summed for each individual based on scoring instructions. Individuals who scored 150 points or less were categorized as low susceptibility to a health breakdown in the next two years, 151-300 points were 50% chance of health breakdown, and 301 points or more were 80% chance of health breakdown.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
App Data
The GLB TBI/Attention Control groups will both use this app. Usage and engagement will be collected.
Time frame: 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months
Executive Function assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment
The MOCA is a brief, 8-section assessment of various cognitive domains including executive function, memory, language, attention, concentration, orientation, and working memory in neurologic populations. Each item on the MOCA is allocated a set of points adding up to 30.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 12 months
Self-reported perceptions of habit strength assessed by the Self-Report Habit Index (SRHI)
Self-Report Habit Index measures self-reported perceptions of habit strength for an identified behavior. The measure has high internal reliability across four studies. The measure consists of 12 items using a 7-point Likert scale ranging from "completely disagree" to "completely agree", with higher scores representing greater perception of habit strength.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 12 months
Depression assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 item
The PHQ-8 is a brief self-report measure of major depressive disorder, derived from the PHQ-9 by removing the last question regarding suicide assessment.It is considered to be a valid measure of depression for population-based studies and clinical populations, and has been used in studies of patients with physical injury. Frequency of symptoms during the last 2 weeks is assessed on a 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day) scale. A cut-off score of 10 or greater is considered diagnostic for current depression
Time frame: Baseline, 12 months, and 18 months
Walk Score
Walk Score is publically available and measures walkability of any address using a patented system. Fore each address, Walk Score analyzes hundreds of walking routes to nearby amenities and awards points based on distance to each amenities. Scores are given on a scale of 0 to 100.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months
Behavioral Assessment
The BAST is a 47 item, theoretically grounded, validated survey of behavioral and emotional symptoms for community-based adults with TBI. This assessment is a shortened version of the validated 77-item survey, with questions related to environmental stressors and mood removed due to repetitiveness to other questions in survey packet. Responses are asked over the past two weeks using an ordinal scale from 0 "rarely" to 5 "very often." There are 6 subscales: Negative Affect, Substance Use, Executive Function, Fatigue, Impulsivity, and Maladaptive Coping. Higher scores indicate more symptoms in those domains. This measure will be used to characterize behavioral/emotional symptoms and to explore whether these are factors that influence
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months
General Self Efficacy
The ten items from the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) are deigned to examine goal-setting, effort investment, persistence in face of barriers and recovery from setbacks as constructs of perceived self-efficacy. The total score is the sum ranging from 10-40 and the instrument has been normed against the U.S. Adult population with a mean score of 29.48.
Time frame: Baseline, 12 months, and 18 months
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
The BRFSS is a state-based system of health surveys that collects information on health risk behaviors, preventative health practices, and health care access primarily related to chronic disease and injury. The GLB-TBI uses the two subscales of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity from the 2017 version of the BRFSS. It consists of 14 items.
Time frame: Baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months.
MedGem
This is an FDA cleared and validated indirect calorimetry device. It is handheld and measures oxygen consumption (V02) to determine resting metabolic rate (RMR)
Time frame: Baseline
Metabolic Score Calculator (MetS)
The metabolic score calculator will be used at all time points to determine the risk for metabolic syndrome. The following variables will be used to determine metabolic risk using the free metabolic risk calculator: gender, race and ethnicity, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), weight, height, and waist circumference. Scores are calculated are standardized to the general population.
Time frame: Baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months
Substance Use
Information on substance use will be collected using the AUDIT-C (for alcohol use) and three questions regarding tobacco and non-prescriptive drug use.
Time frame: Baseline, 12 months
CRISIS (CoRonavIruS Health Impact Survey) V0.3 Adult Baseline Form
This self-report survey was developed by the National Institute of Mental Health. The full survey consists of 64 questions with an open-ended section at the end to elicit concerns and feedback related to the effects of COVID-19. For this current study, however, only sections on Exposure Status (10 items), Life Changes (15 items), and Emotions/Worries (7 items), and the open-ended question will be asked. Questions are asked "over the past two weeks."
Time frame: Up to 12 months
PROMIS Social Isolation Short Form 4a
The Social Isolation Short-Form 4a is taken from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). This form assesses the perceptions of being "avoided, excluded, detached, disconnected from, or unknown by, others. There is no timeframe for the form. The measure is normed to the US population.
Time frame: Up to 12 months
Media Questionnaire
To assess media exposure and fear of media exposure during COVID-19 we have added 6 questions. These are asked "over the past two weeks." These questions address time spent watching the television, listening to radio, reading the newspaper, and searching the internet and social media. In addition, a 6th question related to fear is asked using a 5-point Likert scale.
Time frame: Up to 12 months
Plan to share: No
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