SEED PROJECT: Fatigue management following traumatic brain injury: co-development of a consensus statement and practical resources

About the Project

Researcher name: Dr Christy Hogan (Chief Investigator), The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University

People/organisations involved:

Ms Kaitlyn Spalding, Lecturer, Griffith University (CI)
Ms Sarah Kekki, Occupational Therapist, Acquired Brain Injury Transitional Rehabilitation Service (ABI-TRS), Metro South Health (CI)
Ms Kerry Marnane, Occupational Therapist, Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Service (ABIOS), Metro South Health (CI)
Mr Izak Hollins, Lived experience citizen researcher (CI)
Ms Michelle Owens, Lived experience citizen researcher (AI)
Dr Jessie Mitchell, The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University (AI)
Professor Louise Gustafsson, The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University (AI)

This project focuses on improving the understanding and management of fatigue following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Fatigue is a common, long-term, and often poorly managed consequence of brain injury that significantly affects daily functioning and quality of life. The project brings together international experts, clinicians, people with lived experience, and families to co-develop a world-first consensus statement and practical, user-friendly resources to guide fatigue management.

Aim and objective

The aim is to improve consistency, understanding, and person-centred management of fatigue after TBI. Objectives are to:

• Develop an international consensus statement on best-practice fatigue management following brain injury, and
• Co-design practical resources (e.g. guides, checklists, and workbooks) that support shared understanding and collaborative fatigue management among individuals with brain injury, their support networks, and health professionals.

Expected outcomes and impact

The project will deliver a published consensus statement and a suite of freely available, co-designed fatigue management resources. These outputs will improve clinical guidance, support self-advocacy and shared decision-making for people with brain injury, and increase awareness of brain injury-related fatigue among health professionals, employers, and community services. The project will strengthen translation into practice across rehabilitation and primary care settings and inform future research and policy initiatives.

Project status and timeframe

Seed-funded research project with funding commencing January 2026. The project is expected to run for approximately 16–18 months, including consensus development, co-design workshops, resource development, dissemination, and translation activities.