Research group
Brain injury rehabilitation
The brain injury research group aims to stimulate research of high quality. The group aims at contributing to synergies between clinicians and researchers and support transdisciplinary research. The group aims to increase our competitiveness in obtaining external funding and be a place for innovative discussions.
The group primarily conducts transdisciplinary clinical research. Some studies might involve basic research within the neurosciences, but most studies are within the field of clinical applied research.
Background
Approximately half of the beds at Sunnaas rehabilitation hospital are devoted to patients with acquired brain injuries. The hospital treats patients in the post-acute phase, and offers follow-ups and assessments of distinct areas, and provides individual and group-based cognitive rehabilitation in the chronic phase.
The brain injury research group at Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital aims to contribute to evidence-based rehabilitation programs at the hospital, to establish and be aware of new knowledge within the field of brain injury and brain injury rehabilitation, and to contribute to the establishment of new methods for assessment, diagnostication and treatment. The research should support the strategic plans of the hospital, and contribute to a dynamic and robust research environment regarding brain injuries.
Main topics / focus areas
The studies span over a broad area within brain injury rehabilitation. Studies include all etiologies with acquired brain injuries with a certain predominance of traumatic brain injury research. Topics are related to new assessments and treatment methods, neuropsychological outcomes, cognitive rehabilitation and comorbid psychological problems. See the overview over ongoing studies for details.
Research projects
- Cognitive functions of relevance to driving in elderly persons
- Effect of graded aerobic exercise in mild traumatic brain injury
- Managing symptoms and disability in the sub-acute phase after traumatic injury
- Psychiatric and substance use disorders in physical rehabilitation - disease burden, impact on rehabilitation and long-term health care needs
- Releasing residual cognitive capacity after acquired brain injury
- The Child in context Intervention (CICI): A randomized controlled trial adressing chronic symtpoms of Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury
- The safe swallow; a difficult act to follow
- Traumatic brain injury; needs and treatment options in the chronic phase
- Virtual Reality in cognitive rehabilitation