Kessler Foundation announces the receipt of a $2.23 million, 5-year grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), to fund the Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System (NNJTBIS).

The NNJTBIS is a collaborative effort of Kessler Foundation, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, and five area trauma centers aimed at improving the treatment and outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury.

This marks the fourth 5-year TBI Model System grant that Kessler has received from NIDILRR, according to a media release from Kessler Foundation.

“We are honored to be among the 16 model system grantees of this grant cycle,” says Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, project director of the NNJTBIS and director of TBI Research at Kessler Foundation, in the release.

“This grant allows us to continue to improve rehabilitation treatment and outcomes for individuals with TBI, their families and caregivers, as well as to educate health care professionals and the general public about the medical, psychological, social and emotional effects of TBI.”

Each model system enrolls individuals at the time of their injury, and collects long-term data on their recovery. “These data guide our research aimed at developing effective evidence-based rehabilitation interventions for people with common cognitive sequelae of TBI,” Chiaravalloti continues in the release.

“Deficits in memory, learning, and emotional processing can adversely affect their participation in the community by causing difficulties with interpersonal relationships at home, in school, and in the workplace.”

All 16 model systems contribute their data to the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems National Data and Statistical Center (TBINDSC). These summary data are used to identify areas in need of investigation.

“Recovery after TBI is often a lengthy process that requires expert rehabilitation care,” states Neil N. Jasey, Jr, MD, medical director of the NNJTBIMS, and director of brain injury rehabilitation at Kessler Institute, per the release.

“Being part of the TBI Model System enables us to deliver a comprehensive program of specialized care and treatment to best address the complex medical, physical, cognitive and psychosocial challenges patients face and optimize their individual outcomes,” he adds.

[Source(s): Kessler Foundation, PRWeb]