What the study found
The study found that the BETTER traumatic brain injury transitional care intervention and its participant workbook could be culturally and linguistically adapted for Spanish-speaking patients with traumatic brain injury and their families. The authors report that the adaptation process supported use of the materials in this group.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say the work may help researchers better enroll Hispanic or Latino people, a group that makes up under 8% of U.S. clinical trial samples. They conclude that the steps used in this study can serve as a model for adapting interventions to engage non-English speaking and minoritized participants in research.
What the researchers tested
The researchers described cultural and linguistic adaptation of the BETTER traumatic brain injury transitional care intervention and its workbook. Phase I used qualitative interviews with interpreters and providers, along with rapid qualitative analysis; phase II included workbook translation, cognitive user-testing, and participant feedback.
What worked and what didn't
In phase I, interviews with 10 bilingual health care providers and interpreters produced two themes: centering culture to advance patient outcomes, and enhancing uptake of BETTER. In phase II, the main recommendations involved orthographic changes and limiting English idioms that did not carry meaning in Spanish. The abstract reports that these findings supported adaptation of the intervention and workbook.
What to keep in mind
The available summary describes a small adaptation study rather than a test of patient outcomes. It includes feedback from 10 providers and interpreters in phase I and one workbook reviewer in phase II, so the findings are limited to this adaptation process.
Key points
- The study adapted a traumatic brain injury transitional care intervention for Spanish-speaking patients and families.
- The authors say the work may help increase enrollment of Hispanic or Latino participants in clinical trials.
- Phase I used interviews with bilingual providers and interpreters plus rapid qualitative analysis.
- Phase II used workbook translation, cognitive user-testing, and participant feedback.
- Main phase II feedback focused on spelling or writing changes and avoiding English idioms that did not translate well.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Spanish-language adaptation supported for traumatic brain injury intervention
- Authors:
- Victoria McReynolds, Stephanie O. Ibemere, H. You, Brian Anaya, Michelle Huang, Rosa M. Gonzalez-Guarda, Janet Prvu Bettger, Tolu O. Oyesanya
- Institutions:
- Duke Institute for Health Innovation, Duke Institute for Health Innovation, Duke University, Duke University, Duke University, Duke University, Duke University, Duke University, Duke University, Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-07
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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