# Live video mind-body treatment to prevent persistent symptoms following mTBI

> **NIH NIH K23** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2022 · $157,939

## Abstract

Project Summary
This K23 proposal details a comprehensive 5-year training program that will support the candidate’s transition toward an
independent clinical research career focused on the development and rigorous testing of mind-body interventions with an
emphasis on prevention of transition from acute to chronic symptoms following illness or injury. In this application the
candidate proposes a significant and innovative proposal that is directly tied with his proposed training and career
development goals. Background: College-age individuals have particularly high rates of concussions (also known as mTBIs)
and anxiety. When these co-occur, there is an increased risk for transition to chronic mTBI symptoms, which are costly and
challenging to treat. To date, there are no evidence-based interventions focused on preventing chronic mTBI. The Toolkit
for Optimal Recovery (TOR) is a brief, live video mind-body program aimed at preventing chronic pain in patients with
acute injuries, which is amenable for adaptations for the needs of college-age individuals with mTBI and anxiety. Specific
aims and research design: The proposed study aims to 1) identify treatment needs and preferences among college-age
individuals with acute mTBI and anxiety via live video qualitative interviews (N = 20) to inform adaptation of the TOR and
study procedures; 2) explore, via an open pilot (N=5) with exit interviews and pre- and post- self-report assessments, initial
feasibility, acceptability, and credibility of the live video TOR-Concussions (TOR-C) and study procedures, and to further
refine the intervention, as needed; and 3) establish, via a pilot feasibility RCT of the TOR-C versus a matched dose, time
and attention control (N = 50 enrolled), the feasibility, acceptability and credibility of both programs following pre-
determined benchmarks. Findings will inform an efficacy trial through the UG3/UH3 o mechanisms, as well as future studies
aimed at generalizing this work to other patient populations. Training and mentoring: Study aims are supported by 3 main
training goals aimed at developing expertise in: 1) qualitative methods for mind- body intervention adaptation; 2) mHealth
and technology-based approaches, and 3) conduct of rigorous clinical trials, and advanced statistics for clinical trials. These
training goals are supported by 1) a team of expert mentors (Vranceanu & Yeh), collaborators (Giacino, Iverson & Macklin),
and contributors (Silverberg) that will oversee the progress of the project, 2) a rich institutional environment, and 3) targeted
coursework, scientific meetings, seminars and planned publications. Relevance to the NCCIH mission. This K23 proposal
is in line with NCCIH’s funding priorities to develop feasible and acceptable mind-body interventions for difficult problems
focused on prevention. Impact: Collectively, the experience gained during this award will serve as the foundation for the
applicant’s independent career in mind-body preventative...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10475853
- **Project number:** 5K23AT010653-03
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Jonathan Greenberg
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $157,939
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10475853

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10475853, Live video mind-body treatment to prevent persistent symptoms following mTBI (5K23AT010653-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10475853. Licensed CC0.

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