Impact of a Digitally Monitored Walking Program on Functional and Psychological Outcomes in Individuals With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of a 12-week digital walking exercise program on functional capacity and psychological health in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and the influence of exercise adherence.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial with repeated measures.

SETTING

Medical center-based recruitment with home-based intervention.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-two adults (N=52) (mean age ± SD, 43.98±14.94y; 57.7% women) diagnosed with mTBI (Glasgow Coma Scale score, 13-15) within 6 months postinjury.

INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly assigned to either a digitally monitored walking program group (structured walking ≥30min/session, ≥3times/wk, supported by a wearable fitness tracker and personalized feedback) or an active control group receiving standard exercise education.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was functional capacity measured by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Secondary outcomes included depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II) and quality of life (QoL; World Health Organization QoL-Brief Version). Assessments were conducted at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Generalized estimating equations assessed between-group differences. Subgroup analyses evaluated outcomes in participants with ≥80% adherence to moderate-intensity exercise.

RESULTS

The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in 6MWT distance at 4 weeks (+41.65m, P=.02), 8 weeks (+61.31m, P=.001), and 12 weeks (+65.29m, P=.003) compared with controls. Between-group differences in depressive symptoms and psychological QoL were not statistically significant. However, in the high adherence subgroup (≥80%), significant improvements were observed in functional capacity, as measured by the 6MWT, as well as in depressive symptoms and overall QoL.

CONCLUSIONS

A 12-week digital walking exercise program significantly improved functional capacity in individuals with mTBI. Psychological health benefits were evident among those with high adherence to moderate-intensity walking. These findings support the integration of wearable technologies and remote monitoring tools into structured rehabilitation to promote functional recovery from mTBI.