At the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, a dedicated healthcare team is making significant advancements in treating Veterans with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), particularly focusing on sleep disorders. Dr. Darlene Makulski, director of the TBI Polytrauma Program, is leading efforts to address insomnia, a common and debilitating condition for many TBI patients.
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Dr. Makulski has noted that chronic insomnia often exacerbates TBI symptoms such as memory issues, mood disturbances, and overall well-being, affecting not just the Veterans but also their caregivers. Seeking a non-medical solution, she discovered the Modius Sleep device, a vestibular nerve stimulator aimed at treating chronic insomnia. Introduced to her patients last year, the device has yielded impressive results.
One such success story is Navy Veteran Trent Stahl, who suffered a severe anoxic brain injury in 2013, leading to significant challenges. By the time he sought care at MEDVAMC in 2020, both he and his mother, Traci, were experiencing severe insomnia. After trying the Modius Sleep device, Trent started sleeping through the night, markedly improving his cognitive function and overall mood. His mother reported a transformative impact on both their lives, enabling her to get much-needed rest.
The Modius Sleep device, which is FDA-cleared and drug-free, works by delivering low-level electrical impulses through pads placed behind the ears to stimulate brain regions responsible for sleep regulation. Users can adjust the intensity, and just 30 minutes of daily use can significantly alleviate insomnia symptoms.
Dr. Makulski expressed her satisfaction in seeing positive changes in her patients’ lives and the relief it brings to their caregivers. She highlighted the unique opportunity she has at the VA to focus on Veterans without the constraints of insurance coverage that often limit access to such technologies in private healthcare.
Dr. Stephanie Sneed, a colleague at MEDVAMC, echoed the sentiment, describing Veterans as incredibly resilient and hardworking. Traci Stahl has since become an advocate for the Modius device, reaching out to share her experiences and promote the device among TBI patients and their families.
The collaborative efforts of Dr. Makulski and her team at MEDVAMC are not only enhancing the quality of life for Veterans but also providing renewed hope for their families through innovative treatment options.