Goals: The proposed project will develop a cutting edge computerized adaptive test that efficiently measures community participation of traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors to help with needs assessment, connecting individuals with resources, and improving participation in meaningful life roles.
Objectives: The Traumatic Brain Injury-Participatory Computerized Adaptive Test (TBI-PCAT) will include items specifically developed for those with TBI. We will focus on six domains of participation: participatory interactions, participatory activities, relationships with family and friends, work and employment, romantic relationships, and sexual relationships. Items for the TBI-PCAT will be identified through extensive literature reviews and focus groups to ensure items are relevant to community-dwelling TBI survivors. We will field test the items and develop, calibrate, and conduct psychometric evaluations using advanced measurement methodologies. We will conduct a pilot study to examine validity and reliability of the TBI-PCAT among TBI survivors and create norms for comparisons to a general population. Last, we will engage with TBI survivors and other stakeholders to build a high-quality TBI-PCAT platform that is accessible and easy to use.
Outcomes: The proposed project will develop the TBI-PCAT, an efficient, easy to use, and precise measure of participation. The TBI-PCAT will be available to clinicians, researchers, survivors of TBI for needs assessments, and to connect survivors with resources and improve community participation following TBI.
Products: The TBI-PCAT will be available via a web-based platform accessed through the Traumatic Brain Injury Model System and the Brain Injury Association of America website (BIAA). Additionally, we will create videos and webinar series, accessible through the BIAA, to increase awareness of community participation issues among people with TBI.