This research study examines recovery after a sports-related concussion or mild head injury. Many athletes experience lingering problems with thinking, balance, and mood months after a concussion.
We are testing a new home-based program called BraW-Day™ (Brain \& Walk Exercise Every Day). This 14-day program uses a mobile app on your smartphone and combines simple brain exercises (like counting backwards) with walking exercises. The idea is that doing these tasks together may help your brain and body recover more effectively.
What You'll Do:
* Two in-person visits at UNLV (baseline and after 14 days) for assessments * Daily 15-minute exercises at home using the BraW-Day app * Provide a small saliva sample for biomarker testing * Complete brief questionnaires about your symptoms and health
Potential Benefits:
You may experience improvements in thinking, balance, or mood. Even if you don't benefit directly, your participation will help researchers understand how to better support athletes recovering from concussion.
Who Can Join:
* Ages 18-40 * Had a sports-related concussion or mild head injury within the past 3-12 months * Have a smartphone and can safely do light walking and simple tasks
This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov and approved by the UNLV Institutional Review Board to protect your safety and rights.
Adults aged 18 to 40 years
Self-reported history of sports-related concussion (SRC) or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) within the past 3 to 12 months
Meets criteria for mTBI based on a standardized screening method (e.g., Ohio State University TBI Identification Method)
Able to safely participate in light physical activity (e.g., walking) and simple cognitive tasks based on self-report and observational screening by the research team
Age younger than 18 years or older than 40 years
History of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury
Concussion or mTBI occurring less than 3 months or more than 12 months prior to enrollment
Self-reported active medical disease or history of neurological or psychiatric conditions unrelated to concussion
Single group
Home-Based Mobile Dual-Task Intervention (BraW-Day™)
BehavioralParticipants engage in a 14-day home-based mobile dual-task intervention using the Uplode smartphone application. Each daily session lasts 15 minutes and combines two concurrent components: (1) Walking exercises-progressive heel-to-toe walking alternating with figure-8 walking patterns; and (2) Cognitive tasks-five-minute brain exercises (e.g., counting backwards, working memory challenges) performed simultaneously with walking. On Day 8, cognitive task difficulty increases to provide progressive challenge. The app delivers daily reminders, tracks completion, and provides real-time feedback. Optional guided breathing exercises (5-10 minutes) are available for relaxation and sleep support. Participants self-pace the exercises and can pause the app if needed. The intervention is designed to engage multiple neural systems (motor and cognitive) simultaneously to enhance neuroplasticity and facilitate recovery from concussion/mild traumatic brain injury.
Feasibility and Acceptability of BraW-Day™ Intervention
Semi-structured interview (max 20 minutes) assessing acceptability, feasibility, usability, and barriers/facilitators for the BraW-Day™ exercise program on the Uplode app. System Usability Scale (0-100 scale; higher scores indicate better acceptability).
Change in Cognitive Function
Neuro-QOL Cognitive Function Short Form assessing difficulty with memory, attention, executive function, and processing speed (e.g., tracking time, financial document accuracy, following complex instructions). Raw scores converted to T-scores (mean 50, SD 10); higher scores indicate better cognitive function.
Change in Depression Symptoms
Neuro-QOL Depression Short Form assessing depressive symptoms. T-scores (mean 50, SD 10); higher scores indicate worse depressive symptoms.
Change in Anxiety Symptoms
Neuro-QOL Anxiety Short Form assessing anxiety symptoms. T-scores (mean 50, SD 10); higher scores indicate worse anxiety.
Change in Fatigue
Neuro-QOL Fatigue Short Form assessing fatigue severity and impact. T-scores (mean 50, SD 10); higher scores indicate worse fatigue.
Change in Sleep Disturbance
Neuro-QOL Sleep Disturbance Short Form assessing sleep quality and disturbance. T-scores (mean 50, SD 10); higher scores indicate worse sleep disturbance.
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Hyunhwa Lee
Lead sponsor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Sponsor institution
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Collaborator
This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options:
