Brain injury

This study tests whether a special tilt-table with robotic leg movers (called Erigo) helps people with severe brain injuries recover better than traditional tilting. The table slowly brings patients upright while moving their legs, which may improve blood flow, muscle tone, and a…

This trial is testing a robotic exoskeleton called ABLE Kids to see if it is safe and practical for children who have trouble walking due to conditions like cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, or muscle weakness. Fifteen children will use the device in up to ten one-hour training…

This trial asks whether giving children a low-dose ketamine infusion after heart surgery can protect their brains from damage. Children aged 1 to 60 months undergoing surgery for certain congenital heart defects will receive either ketamine at one of two doses or no ketamine. Res…

This study tests whether clemastine, an allergy medicine, is safe for premature babies with white matter injury—a common brain injury in infants born early. Researchers will give the drug by mouth to 24 babies born at or before 32 weeks and now between 35 and 41 weeks old. The go…

This study tests a robot-assisted, gamified rehabilitation program for children aged 7-16 with acquired brain injury. The program combines 15 supervised hospital sessions with 15 home-based sessions on a tablet, guided by an interactive avatar. Researchers will measure improvemen…

This early study tests whether implanting electrodes deep in the brain (thalamus) can safely help people with long-term disorders of consciousness. Only 2 participants will be enrolled, and the main goal is to check safety and see if awareness improves using a standard behavioral…

This phase II trial tests whether keeping fluid balance neutral (close to zero) is safe and feasible for adults with traumatic brain injury in the ICU. 88 participants will be randomly assigned to either a neutral fluid strategy or standard care for 5 days. The goal is to see if …

This early study tests whether a daily supplement called gamma-glutamylcysteine (GGC) can boost the brain's natural antioxidant levels in people who have had repeated head impacts, such as retired NFL players and military veterans. The 30 participants will take GGC tablets for a …

This expanded access study offers stem cell therapy (HB-adMSCs) to up to 8 people with traumatic or non-traumatic brain injury who were not eligible for a related trial. Participants receive 6 intravenous infusions over 16 weeks. The goal is to evaluate safety and whether the tre…

This study tests whether a home-based computer cognitive training program (RehaCom) can improve attention and memory in adults with acquired brain injury, including stroke. Thirty participants will either receive the home program plus weekly in-person sessions, or standard in-per…

This study compares two common seizure medications, levetiracetam and lacosamide, to see which works better at preventing early seizures after a traumatic brain injury. Researchers will also track side effects like agitation and sedation. The trial plans to enroll 600 adults with…

This study tests whether a 'cafe therapy' program helps people with chronic traumatic brain injury improve their movement, thinking, and daily function. Twenty participants will work in a real cafe for 2 hours a day, 3 days a week, for 6-8 weeks, with supervision from researchers…

This study looks at how well a special intensive therapy called ACQUIRE Therapy works for children with motor problems caused by conditions like cerebral palsy, autism, or brain injury. The therapy involves many hours of play-based exercises each day, often with a cast or splint …

This study tests whether giving ozone gas through the rectum can help protect the brain in children who have suffered a brain injury. 120 children aged 1 month to 18 years will either receive up to 80 rectal ozone sessions plus standard rehab, or rehab alone. The main goal is to …

This study will test a portable, low-field MRI machine to see how well it detects brain injuries from lack of oxygen or blood flow in children. About 200 kids in intensive care will get both a portable and a standard MRI. The goal is to find out if the portable version is accurat…

This study tests whether a portable, low-field MRI machine can detect brain injuries in children who are on ECMO (a heart-lung bypass machine). The MRI is brought to the bedside, avoiding the need to move critically ill children. Researchers will scan children at several time poi…

This study is testing a new device called TES HT100 that uses low-power electromagnetic waves to screen for brain injuries in adults coming to the emergency room with mild head trauma or certain neurological symptoms. The device is non-invasive, takes about 5 minutes, and gives a…

This study tests whether giving a single dose of a common antibiotic soon after a breathing tube is placed can prevent lung infections and improve survival in ICU patients with severe brain injuries. Researchers will enroll 3,300 adults on ventilators due to stroke, trauma, or la…

This study tests a web-based program called webSTAIR, which teaches emotion regulation and relationship skills, for female veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma or intimate partner violence and also have a brain injury. The goal is to see if it helps them manage em…

This study compares two ways of delivering a combined attention and strategy training program to veterans with mild traumatic brain injury and PTSD. One group receives the training in person, the other via telehealth. The goal is to see if remote delivery works just as well for i…

Researchers are testing whether combining transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) with neurofeedback can improve attention in adults who have sustained a brain injury from stroke, trauma, or lack of oxygen. Participants receive sessions that pair 10 minutes of tRNS with 20 m…

This study is testing a new online exercise program made specifically for people with chronic brain injury. Researchers want to see if it helps them be more active and feel more confident about exercising. Sixty adults with chronic brain injury will take part; half will use the n…

This study tests two behavioral treatments—cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness—to help people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) sleep better and feel less stressed. 360 veterans and service members with mild to moderate TBI, insomnia, and PTSD symptoms will receive…

This pilot study tests whether combining a gentle nerve stimulator placed on the ear (taVNS) with robotic tilt-table therapy can safely help people with prolonged disorders of consciousness after severe brain injury. Fifteen participants will undergo 12 weeks of paired therapy, a…

This study tests whether dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), a type of talk therapy, can help people with acquired brain injury manage emotional distress and challenging behaviors. 77 participants will receive standard care for 5 months, then DBT for 5 months, then follow-up. Res…

This study compares a single dose of methadone to the standard drug remifentanil for pain control after brain surgery. About 40 adults having elective brain surgery will be randomly assigned to one of the two drugs. The goal is to see if methadone provides better pain relief and …

This study is testing whether a web-based platform called Cognishine can help adults with cognitive and speech problems after a brain injury or stroke. Instead of using paper exercises, patients will do therapy on a tablet or computer. The goal is to see if this digital approach …

This study looks at whether adding morning bright light therapy to cognitive training can improve thinking, daily function, and sleep in 144 veterans who have both mild traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Participants will receive either the light therapy or a placebo light device. …

This study tests whether practicing driving skills in a simulator can improve real driving performance in veteran stroke survivors. One hundred participants will complete both active training (focusing on speed, lane position, collision avoidance, and attention) and a control ses…

This study tests a magnetic brain stimulation technique called iTBS in 55 veterans aged 22-65 who have had a mild traumatic brain injury and struggle with impulsivity or suicidal thoughts. The treatment involves applying magnetic pulses to the front of the head over several sessi…

This study tests a noninvasive treatment called REAC that uses gentle electrical signals to help rebalance brain activity after a severe traumatic brain injury. Researchers will compare real REAC sessions to a sham (fake) version in 60 patients to see if it improves brain wave pa…

This study tests an 8-week online program called MENTOR that teaches mindfulness, exercise, and nutrition to people who had a traumatic brain injury at least a year ago. Researchers want to see if it improves emotional health, physical activity, and overall well-being. The trial …

This study tests a new rehab program called STAR-C for people with lasting cognitive issues after a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion). It compares three groups: in-person therapy, online therapy via telehealth, and a waitlist that gets no treatment. The goal is to see if S…

This pilot study compares a nerve-freezing technique called cryoneurolysis to standard Botox injections for treating pain and stiffness caused by spasticity in people with brain or spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, or stroke. Fifty adults will be randomly assigned to rece…

This study looks at whether a common dietary fiber called inulin can improve fatigue and thinking problems in people recovering from brain injuries. Researchers will give inulin to 130 adults in neurorehabilitation and track changes in their gut bacteria and symptoms. The goal is…

This study tests whether adding gentle electrical stimulation to physical therapy can help people who have had a severe stroke and developed muscle weakness in the ICU. About 24 participants will receive either standard therapy or therapy combined with functional electrical stimu…

This study tests a safe, non-invasive brain stimulation technique (tDCS) that people can use at home while doing computer-based attention exercises. The goal is to see if it can improve complex attention in 160 active-duty service members and veterans who had a mild traumatic bra…

This study is testing a special suit called the Neuro20 that uses mild electrical pulses to stimulate muscles in the arms, legs, chest, and back. Researchers want to see if wearing it during therapy sessions can improve walking ability, muscle performance, and heart health in peo…

This study tests whether a technique called high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) can improve word-finding difficulties in people who had a traumatic brain injury at least a year ago. The device delivers a very low electrical current through electrodes…

This study follows 65 infants who had a stroke around birth, tracking their brain development and motor skills over two years. Researchers use MRI scans, brain stimulation, and movement tests to find markers of recovery. The goal is to understand how the brain heals, which could …

This study is testing whether a mobile health app system can help people with chronic conditions like spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or traumatic brain injury improve their self-management skills and wellness. About 160 participants will use the app for one yea…

This study will compare live music therapy to recorded music in 10 children aged 1-18 with disorders of consciousness after severe brain injury. Over 10 days, researchers will measure changes in consciousness using a simple checklist and video recordings. Parents will also share …

This study follows over 2,500 teens aged 11 to 17 who come to the emergency room with a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Researchers want to see if they develop new or worsening depression or anxiety in the months after injury. Teens and their parents fill out questionnaires a…

This study looks at whether specific proteins released into the blood after a traumatic brain injury or cardiac arrest can help doctors assess damage and predict recovery. Researchers will collect blood samples from patients starting in the ambulance or emergency department and c…

This study will measure a protein called BD-tau in the blood of 100 people who have had an acute ischemic stroke. Researchers will take blood samples every hour for 48 hours to see how the protein levels change over time. The goal is to better understand brain injury patterns and…

This study tracks 90 coma patients in intensive care to see if their body's natural daily rhythms (like sleep-wake cycles) return as they wake up. Researchers will measure behavior, eye movements, temperature, and urine biomarkers every few hours. The goal is to better understand…

This study looks at 150 people who have had a brain injury from a stroke, bleed, or trauma. Researchers will track their sleep quality and mental health symptoms for up to a year using wrist monitors, brain activity sensors, and questionnaires. The goal is to understand if poor s…

This study monitors brain electrical activity and blood flow in critically ill patients with acute brain injury who are on a breathing machine. Researchers adjust the machine's pressure settings and perform lung reopening maneuvers, then use EEG and ultrasound to see how the brai…

This pilot study tests whether StimolIrpinia, a multimedia collection of local images, videos, and cultural information, can support cognitive rehabilitation in people with severe acquired brain injury. Ten hospitalized patients will use the tool in six 30-minute sessions over tw…

This study looks at whether a person's personality before a brain injury or stroke influences how well they recover thinking and memory skills. Researchers will follow 250 adults with severe acquired brain injury or stroke, testing their cognitive abilities, daily functioning, an…

This observational study tests whether a non-invasive headband called fNIRS can measure brain activity in healthy adults and in people with disorders of consciousness, such as coma, after severe brain injury. Participants wear the headband while receiving gentle touch, listening …

This study looks at how stroke changes the way the spinal cord handles sensory signals. Researchers will stimulate nerve roots in the neck during surgery and measure muscle and brain responses in 15 people (some with stroke, some healthy). The goal is to better understand spinal …

This study looks at how adults with acquired brain injury (like from stroke or trauma) learn connections between things without being directly taught. Researchers will test 40 participants using a task that links pill shapes, functions, and names. The goal is to understand how br…

This study tests whether brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) can be used at home by children aged 5-18 with severe physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy or brain injury. Families receive a BCI kit and participate in 12 virtual coaching sessions over 3-6 months. The goal is t…

This study aims to better understand the link between motor (movement) and cognitive (thinking) problems in people with brain damage from conditions like cerebral palsy or stroke. Researchers will assess 400 participants aged 3 to 90 using robotic tools and standard tests. The go…

This study will track how often and how intensely patients with moderate to severe brain injury are moved or exercised while in intensive care units in Scandinavia. Researchers want to see if more movement is linked to better outcomes and safety. About 198 adults on breathing mac…

This study looks at how changes in muscles and the brain are linked in aging and diseases like ALS, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's. Researchers will compare healthy older adults with those who have these conditions to find early signs of disease. The goal is to better understand ri…

This study looks at two different methods to check consciousness in people with severe brain injuries. The goal is to see if a shorter, simpler test works as well as the longer standard one. About 110 patients will take part, and the results could help doctors make better treatme…

This study looks at how heart function relates to recovery in people with severe traumatic brain injury or brain bleeding. Researchers will collect data from routine monitoring and follow up with 50 adults 6 months after hospital discharge. The goal is to better understand the co…

This observational study looks at how acquired brain injury affects speech and breathing in adults with dysarthria. About 100 participants will have their voice recorded and take breathing tests. The goal is to find better ways to identify the severity and type of dysarthria, hel…

This study looks at how focal brain injuries affect mental time travel — the ability to imagine past or future events. Researchers will ask participants to judge whether a person in a photo likely experienced a certain life event years ago or will experience it in the future. The…

This study aims to understand how muscles change over time in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Researchers will use 3D ultrasound to measure muscle size, length, and quality in 229 children. The goal is to link these changes to brain injury and treatments, helping improve fu…

This study watches 148 adults with acute brain injury who have a drain in their head. Researchers will check fluid from the brain to see if changes in a substance called lactate can signal an infection early. The goal is to learn more, not to test a new treatment.

This study tests whether using a driving simulator can help adults with acquired brain injury improve their driving comfort, confidence, and independence. Fifty participants will practice with realistic driving scenarios and then take an on-road test. The goal is to see if simula…

This study explores whether using both lung and brain ultrasound can help doctors choose the best ventilator pressure for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute brain injury. About 30 critically ill adults on breathing machines will be enrolled. The go…

This study follows 60 infants at high risk for Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI), a brain-based vision problem often missed until later childhood. Researchers will collect data from clinical exams, brain scans, and vision tests up to 24 months of age. The goal is to create a model…

This study looks at whether Goal Management Training (GMT) can improve cognitive control in people who have had a brain injury. About 116 adults will take part in group training sessions and some will also get smartphone reminders or a booster session. The goal is to find out wha…

This study checks if a pressure-sensitive insole (Ceriter Stride One) can accurately measure walking patterns in people with stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury. About 30 participants will wear the insole while walking on a high-tech treadmill (GRAIL) to compare results. …

This study watches 250 adults who are unconscious after a cardiac arrest to see if early brain tests can predict when they will wake up. Researchers use tools like EEG and ultrasound to monitor the brain. The goal is to find reliable signs of recovery, not to test a new treatment…

This pilot study will test whether a stellate ganglion nerve block—a procedure used for chronic pain—can improve blood flow in the tiny vessels of the eye. Researchers will use a special camera (OCTA) to scan the retinas of 50 adults before and after the block. The goal is to see…

This study is testing several non-invasive methods—like pupil checks, EEG, and ultrasound—to see if they can detect life-threatening brain swelling earlier than current methods. Researchers will monitor 720 patients with acute brain injuries in the ICU. The goal is to find reliab…

This study tests whether a simple clinical score can help doctors decide when to safely remove breathing tubes from brain-injured patients who are still unconscious. The trial will include 660 adults with acute brain injuries who have been on a ventilator for more than 48 hours. …