Feasibility of Ballistic Strength Training to Improve Mobility of Inpatients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Study Protocol

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of mortality and long-term disability, often resulting in limited mobility. Limited mobility is associated with poor community participation and reduced health-related quality of life. Mobility, particularly walking, requires rapid force generation, which can be improved using ballistic strength training. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of ballistic strength training for improving mobility in people recovering from traumatic brain injury in an inpatient rehabilitation setting. The feasibility study will use a quasi-experimental single group pre-test–post-test design. We will recruit inpatients with first-ever, moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury, less than 6 months post-injury. We plan to measure recruitment capability, attendance, the incidence of adverse events, acceptability of the intervention, and ability to perform exercises. Preliminary effects of the intervention will be measured as a change in self-selected walking speed, change in walking capacity, and participant perceived difference in walking ability. The data will be descriptively analysed. In this study protocol, we outline the rationale for implementing a feasibility study to test the feasibility of ballistic strength training for inpatients who have experienced traumatic brain injuries.