Deep Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury

The Trail Making Test is a measure of attention, speed and mental flexibility. It also tests spatial organization, visual pursuits, recall, and recognition. Part A requires the individual to draw lines to connect 25 encircled numbers distributed on a page. Part A tests visual scanning, numeric sequencing, and visuomotor speed. Part B is similar except the person must alternate between numbers and letters and is believed to be more difficult and takes longer to complete. Part B tests cognitive demands including visual motor and visual spatial abilities and mental flexibility. Both sections are timed and the score represents the amount of time required to complete the task. Lower scores (shorter times) correspond to a better outcome.

The Trail Making Test is a measure of attention, speed and mental flexibility. It also tests spatial organization, visual pursuits, recall, and recognition. Part A requires the individual to draw lines to connect 25 encircled numbers distributed on a page. Part A tests visual scanning, numeric sequencing, and visuomotor speed. Part B is similar except the person must alternate between numbers and letters and is believed to be more difficult and takes longer to complete. Part B tests cognitive demands including visual motor and visual spatial abilities and mental flexibility. Both sections are timed and the score represents the amount of time required to complete the task. Lower scores (shorter times) correspond to a better outcome.

The TBI-QOL was developed as a comprehensive patient-reported outcomes (PRO) measurement system specifically for individuals with TBI. It consists of 20 independent calibrated item banks and 2 uncalibrated scales that measure physical, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of health-related quality of life. We will administer the short form (6-10 questions each) of the TBI-QOL Fatigue, Attention/Concentration, and Executive Function subscales. Executive Function score range: 10-50, higher scores correspond to better executive function.

The TBI-QOL was developed as a comprehensive patient-reported outcomes (PRO) measurement system specifically for individuals with TBI. It consists of 20 independent calibrated item banks and 2 uncalibrated scales that measure physical, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of health-related quality of life. We will administer the short form (6-10 questions each) of the TBI-QOL Fatigue, Attention/Concentration, and Executive Function subscales. Attention/Concentration score range: 6-30, higher scores correspond to better attention and concentration.

The TBI-QOL was developed as a comprehensive patient-reported outcomes (PRO) measurement system specifically for individuals with TBI. It consists of 20 independent calibrated item banks and 2 uncalibrated scales that measure physical, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of health-related quality of life. We will administer the short form (6-10 questions each) of the TBI-QOL Fatigue, Attention/Concentration, and Executive Function subscales. Fatigue score range: 10-50, lower scores correspond to less fatigue.

The Rivermead PCS Questionnaire (RPQ) was originally developed as a measure of severity of symptoms following mild TBI. It consists of 16 post-concussion symptoms including headaches, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, noise sensitivity, sleep disturbance, fatigue, irritability, feeling depressed/tearful, feeling frustrated/ impatient, forgetfulness, poor concentration, taking longer to think, blurred vision, light sensitivity, double vision and restlessness. In the original version of the RPQ, participants are asked to rate the degree (on a scale of 0 to 4) to which a particular symptom has been absent or a mild, moderate or severe problem over the previous 24 hours compared with premorbid levels. Score range: 0-64, lower scores correspond to fewer symptoms

The Ruff 2 & 7 Test was developed to measure two aspects of visual attention: sustained attention (ability to maintain consistent performance level over time) and selective attention (ability to select relevant stimuli while ignoring distractors). The test consists of a series of 20 trials of a visual search and cancellation task. The respondent detects and marks through all occurrences of the two target digits: "2" and "7." In the 10 Automatic Detection trials, the target digits are embedded among alphabetical letters that serve as distractors. In the 10 Controlled Search trials, the target digits are embedded among other numbers that serve as distractors. Correct hits and errors are counted for each trial and serve as the basis for scoring the test. Speed scores reflect the total number of correctly identified targets (hits). Score range: 0 to 300, with higher numbers representing more correctly identified targets within the allotted time (5 minutes)

The Ruff 2 & 7 Test was developed to measure two aspects of visual attention: sustained attention (ability to maintain consistent performance level over time) and selective attention (ability to select relevant stimuli while ignoring distractors). The test consists of a series of 20 trials of a visual search and cancellation task. The respondent detects and marks through all occurrences of the two target digits: "2" and "7." In the 10 Automatic Detection trials, the target digits are embedded among alphabetical letters that serve as distractors. In the 10 Controlled Search trials, the target digits are embedded among other numbers that serve as distractors. Correct hits and errors are counted for each trial and serve as the basis for scoring the test. Accuracy scores evaluate the number of targets identified in relation to the number of possible targets (n=300), expressed as a percentage. Higher scores represent higher accuracy of target identification.

The Ruff 2 & 7 Test was developed to measure two aspects of visual attention: sustained attention (ability to maintain consistent performance level over time) and selective attention (ability to select relevant stimuli while ignoring distractors). The test consists of a series of 20 trials of a visual search and cancellation task. The respondent detects and marks through all occurrences of the two target digits: "2" and "7." In the 10 Automatic Detection trials, the target digits are embedded among alphabetical letters that serve as distractors. In the 10 Controlled Search trials, the target digits are embedded among other numbers that serve as distractors. Correct hits and errors are counted for each trial and serve as the basis for scoring the test. Speed scores reflect the total number of correctly identified targets (hits). Score range: 0 to 300, with higher numbers representing more correctly identified targets within the allotted time (5 minutes)

The Ruff 2 & 7 Test was developed to measure two aspects of visual attention: sustained attention (ability to maintain consistent performance level over time) and selective attention (ability to select relevant stimuli while ignoring distractors). The test consists of a series of 20 trials of a visual search and cancellation task. The respondent detects and marks through all occurrences of the two target digits: "2" and "7." In the 10 Automatic Detection trials, the target digits are embedded among alphabetical letters that serve as distractors. In the 10 Controlled Search trials, the target digits are embedded among other numbers that serve as distractors. Correct hits and errors are counted for each trial and serve as the basis for scoring the test. Accuracy scores evaluate the number of targets identified in relation to the number of possible targets (n=300), expressed as a percentage. Higher scores represent higher accuracy of target identification.

The Participant Health Questionnaire 9 is a standardized assessment instrument designed to screen, diagnose, monitor, and measure the severity of depression. Score range: 0 to 27, lower scores correspond to better health outcomes.

The Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOS-E) is a measure of disability and handicap intended for use following head injury. The GOS-E subdivides the upper three categories of the original Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), severe disability, moderate disability and good recovery, into an eight-category scale: 1 = dead, 2 = vegetative state, 3 = lower severe disability, 4 = upper severe disability, 5 = lower moderate disability, 6 = upper moderate disability, 7 = lower good recovery, and 8 = upper good recovery to provide more detailed assessment of the functional effects of the injury. A structured interview has been developed to standardize assignment of an outcome category (Wilson et al. 1998). Increase of 1 point on this scale represents a meaningful change in health outcome.