Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Depression in Patients With Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

The primary aim of this study is to develop a highly acceptable, manualized treatment (CBT-TBI) for MDD in patients with moderate to severe TBI. Initial feasibility data from a small, open pilot will inform the randomized controlled trial. Primary analyses will examine feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. The investigators will then pilot test the efficacy of the intervention to reduce depressive symptoms (IDS-C) after 12 weeks compared to a waitlist control group. The proposed study involves the following points of contact: (1) Obtaining informed consent and screening (may be broken up into multiple visits), (2) biweekly clinician assessments of depressive and neuropsychiatric symptoms (weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10), (3) weekly self-report assessments of depressive symptoms for those receiving the intervention, (4) 12 weekly individual CBT-TBI sessions for those randomized to the intervention, (5) a comprehensive assessment at week 12 (primary endpoint), which includes the neuropsychological battery, and (6) a 3-month follow-up assessment for those who received the intervention. The week 12 visit can be split into two parts, with the neuropsychological assessment occurring during the second part, in order to accommodate subjects' potential limitations due to fatigue. Procedures for this study were all conducted remotely after March 17, 2020.