A Multidisciplinary Social Communication and Coping Skills Group Intervention for Adults with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI): A Pilot Feasibility Study in an Inpatient Setting

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Appleton ◽  
Allyson Browne ◽  
Natalie Ciccone ◽  
Kim Fong ◽  
Graeme Hankey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Coping Skills ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Group Program ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Skills Group ◽  
And Coping

AbstractThere is evidence that individuals with an acquired brain injury (ABI) are at increased risk of developing psychological problems and that they commonly experience difficulties in social communication, associated with poorer long-term outcomes. Although several relevant group interventions have been evaluated, there has been limited exploration of the feasibility of an ABI inpatient intervention. This nonrandomised pilot study tested the feasibility of an inpatient multidisciplinary social communication and coping skills group intervention within 1-year post traumatic/nontraumatic ABI. Seven participants completed a 4-week group program (3 × 1 hour sessions per week) facilitated by a speech pathologist and clinical psychologist and were assessed pre/post intervention and at 3 months with the La Trobe Communication Questionnaire, Correct Information Unit analysis, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Coping Self-Efficacy scale and World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment. Most participants improved between baseline and 3 months post intervention in terms of greater informativeness and efficiency of connected speech and reduced anxiety and they provided positive feedback about the group program. Despite the challenges and limitations of this pilot study, the findings are encouraging and support both the value and feasibility of developing such a program into routine inpatient rehabilitation services.

scholarly journals QOLP-04. PILOT STUDY OF A VIDEOCONFERENCE-BASED PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT GLIOMAS

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii175-ii175
Author(s):  
Deborah Forst ◽  
Michelle Mesa ◽  
Emilia Kaslow-Zieve ◽  
Areej El-Jawahri ◽  
Joseph Greer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Coping Skills ◽  
Malignant Gliomas ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
And Coping

Abstract BACKGROUND Caregivers of patients with malignant gliomas experience substantial anxiety symptoms while caring for someone with progressive neurological decline. Yet, interventions to reduce psychological distress and improve quality of life (QoL) in this caregiver population are lacking. METHODS We conducted an open pilot study evaluating feasibility and acceptability of a cognitive behavioral therapy-based intervention for caregivers of patients with malignant gliomas with clinically significant anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder [GAD-7] score ≥ 5). Caregivers participated in six videoconference sessions with a mental health provider. We defined the intervention as feasible if ≥ 70% of eligible caregivers enrolled and ≥ 70% of those enrolled completed ≥ 50% of sessions. We evaluated intervention acceptability in semi-structured interviews. Caregivers completed baseline and post-intervention surveys assessing anxiety and depression symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), QoL (Caregiver Oncology Quality of Life Questionnaire), caregiving burden (Caregiver Reaction Assessment), self-efficacy (Lewis Cancer Self-Efficacy Scale), and perceived coping skills (Measure of Current Status-Part A). We explored post-intervention changes using paired t-tests. RESULTS We obtained consent from 70.0% (21/30) of caregivers approached, of which 66.7% (14/21) had clinically significant anxiety and thus were eligible to participate (mean age=55.7 years, 64.3% female). Among enrolled caregivers, 71.4% (10/14) completed ≥ 50% of sessions. In semi-structured interviews, all participants found the intervention helpful and valued the ability to participate remotely via videoconference. Among caregivers who completed at least one session, 80.0% (8/10) completed all assessments and were included in analyses. Post-intervention, caregivers reported reduced anxiety symptoms (P=.02) and improved QoL (P=.03) and coping skills (P=.001). We found no significant change in depression, caregiving burden, or self-efficacy. CONCLUSION Our videoconference-based intervention is feasible and acceptable to caregivers. Participants reported significant improvements in anxiety symptoms, quality of life, and coping skills post-intervention, supporting further investigation of the intervention in a randomized controlled trial.

Evaluating the feasibility and efficacy of the Amsterdam memory and attention training for children (Amat-c) following acquired brain injury (ABI): protocol for a pilot study with online clinician support

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Cathy Catroppa ◽  
Edith Botchway ◽  
Nicholas P. Ryan ◽  
Vicki Anderson ◽  
Elle Morrison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Attention Training ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Attention And Memory ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Memory And Attention ◽  
Clinician Support

Abstract Background: Attention and memory deficits are common following paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI). However, there are few evidence-based interventions to improve these domains and benefit the everyday life of children post-injury. The Amsterdam Memory and Attention Training for children (Amat-c) has been translated from Dutch to English and shown to improve attention and memory skills in children following ABI. This protocol describes a study to expand accessibility of the program by using online, clinician-supported delivery with children post-ABI. Method/design: The study is a randomized controlled trial. Participants will be 40 children aged 8–16 a minimum of one-year post-ABI. Participants in the treatment group will complete 18 weekly sessions of the Amat-c program with weekly online clinician support. Participants in the active-control group will be administered ABI psychoeducation via a booklet for parents, with weekly online clinician contact. Attention and memory will be assessed at three time points up to six months post-intervention. Results: Analysis will be repeated measures multivariate planned comparisons; using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics) General Linear Model procedure will compare pre- and post-intervention and six-month follow-up outcomes. Discussion: If shown efficacious in improving attention and memory, our team will then take a key role in implementing Amat-c into clinical care.

scholarly journals Addressing the Disparity in Refugee Mental Health Services: a Pilot Study of a Traumatic Stress Intervention Utilizing a Language‑Free mHealth Application

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Mazzulla ◽  
Karen M. Fondacaro ◽  
Holly C Weldon ◽  
Marguerite Dibble ◽  
Matthew Price
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Somali Bantu ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Mental Health Treatments ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Objective: After resettlement, an overwhelming number of refugees struggle with Chronic Traumatic Stress (CTS), the persistence of traumatic events (e.g., re-experiencing past trauma; news of on-going war) coupled with daily post-migration stressors (e.g., poverty, lack of transportation). CTS significantly increases the burden of mental health challenges experienced by refugees. Evidence-based mental health treatments often rely on worksheets, mobile applications, websites, or telephone calls to facilitate the management of distress outside of treatment sessions. Language barriers prevent these strategies from being incorporated into mental health treatment for refugees, which results in a significant disparity in care. Treatments delivered via mobile devices can address this barrier through the use of intuitive images that eliminate the need for text or language-based instruction.Methods: A six-week pilot study assessing the effectiveness of group intervention utilizing a language free, culturally relevant mobile health (mHealth) application was conducted in a sample of Somali-Bantu and Nepali-Bhutanese adult refugee men and women (N=18). Paired-samples t-tests were conducted to compare pre- and post-intervention levels of psychosocial distress, anxiety, depression, and traumatic stress, on the Refugee Health Screener (RHS-15) and an investigator generated coping measure.Results: Results indicated significant reduction (p<.001) in symptoms related to traumatic stress, anxiety, depression and somatic complaints in addition to a significant increase (p<.001) in the use of coping skills.Conclusions: The use of a mobile mental health app, in combination with in-person therapy, was effective in reducing mental health symptomology and in increasing the use of coping skills in Somali-Bantu and Nepali-Bhutanese refugees.

scholarly journals The effect of intensified nonverbal facilitation of swallowing on dysphagia after severe acquired brain injury: A randomised controlled pilot study

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Jakobsen ◽  
I. Poulsen ◽  
C. Schultheiss ◽  
C.G. Riberholt ◽  
D.J. Curtis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Severe Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Results of an occupational self-analysis program in people with acquired brain injury. A pilot study

Brain Injury ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-261
Author(s):  
Ana Judit Fernández-Solano ◽  
María Elena Del Baño-Aledo ◽  
María Rodríguez-Bailón
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Analysis Program

scholarly journals Mood, Activity Participation, and Leisure Engagement Satisfaction (MAPLES): a randomised controlled pilot feasibility trial for low mood in acquired brain injury

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Kusec ◽  
Fionnuala C. Murphy ◽  
Polly V. Peers ◽  
Cara Lawrence ◽  
Emma Cameron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Positive Reinforcement ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Low Mood ◽  
Activity Planning

Abstract Background Acquired brain injury (ABI) affects approximately 79.3 million individuals annually and is linked with elevated rates of depression and low mood. Existing methods for treating depression in ABI have shown mixed efficacy. Behavioural activation (BA) is a potentially promising intervention. Its premise is that individuals with low mood avoid planning and engaging in activities due to low expectations of a positive outcome. Consequently, their exposure to positive reinforcement is reduced, exacerbating low mood. BA aims to break this cycle by encouraging activity planning and engagement. It is unknown whether cognitive demands of traditional BA may undermine efficacy in ABI. Here, we assess the feasibility and acceptability of two groups designed to increase activity engagement. In the activity planning group (traditional BA), the importance of meaningful and positive activity will be discussed and participants encouraged to plan/engage in activities in everyday life. The activity engagement group (experiential BA) instead focuses on engagement in positive experiences (crafts, games, discussion) within the group. The primary aims are to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the two groups in ABI. A secondary aim is to explore relative efficacy of the groups compared to an equivalent period of waitlist controls. Method This study outlines a parallel-arm pilot feasibility trial for individuals with low mood and ABI that compares a traditional vs experiential BA group vs waitlist controls. Adults (≥ 18 years) will be recruited from local ABI services and randomised to condition. Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed via recruitment, retention, attendance and participant feedback. Groups will be compared (pre- and post-intervention and 1 month follow-up) by assessing self-reported activity engagement. Secondary outcomes include self-report measures of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic distress related to the ABI, motivation, participation and sense of control over one’s life. Ethics and dissemination The trial has been approved by the Health Research Authority of the NHS in the UK (East of England—Cambridge Central, REF 18/EE/0305). Results will inform future research on interventions for mood in ABI and be disseminated broadly via peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and social media. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03874650 pre-results. Protocol version 2.1, March 5, 2019

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document