HMN 2026: How to Improve physical activity in people with traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. Physical activity decreases this risk through improving cognitive health. In a recent study appearing in Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, Amanda Rabinowitz, Ph.D. and her team at Jefferson Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute have developed an approach to increasing physical activity in TBI patients to decrease cognitive decline.

“Traditional exercise programs for TBI patients are ‘one size fits all,’ making it difficult for people with varying injury severity to benefit,” says Tessa Hart, Ph.D., first author on the study. “Our program is designed to meet people where they are, regardless of the type of brain injury.”

In their program, a therapist works virtually with TBI patients to develop physical activity goals, ranging from gardening to going to the gym. Regular text messages from a chatbot, RehaBot, remind patients to complete their physical activity.

“Patients we’ve interviewed see the value in the study and are excited to continue. No one has dropped out either,” Dr. Hart says. “The program has the potential to help people with TBI develop long-lasting, healthy physical activity habits to improve cognitive function.”

The team plans to use a smartwatch tracker to measure the impact of improved physical activity, emotional function, sleep and pain management.

Dr. Hart notes, “Everyone with TBI is unique, with their own unique set of challenges and goals. We wanted our approach to be just as unique, and hope patients will experience success.”

“The more we learn about the science behind TBI, the more evidence we have that we can improve a wide variety of issues people with TBI struggle with,” says Dr. Rabinowitz, who is also part of Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

The content is provided for information purposes only.