Reporting on novel complex intervention development for adults with social communication impairments after acquired brain injury

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.

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A Conceptual Framework of Social Communication: Clinical Applications to Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Seminars in Speech and Language ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1701683 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (02) ◽

pp. 143-160

Author(s):

Catherine Wiseman-Hakes ◽

Lisa Kakonge ◽

Meghan Doherty ◽

Miriam Beauchamp

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Social Communication ◽

Clinical Applications ◽

Future Research ◽

Sex And Gender ◽

Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Communication Impairments ◽

Pediatric Tbi

AbstractSocial communication impairments are common following pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can lead to social isolation, and poor social outcomes. Social communication has been documented as a persistent area of need in terms of proper assessment and intervention; however, this is not consistently addressed in clinical practice. While there is a body of evidence regarding social communication impairments and pediatric TBI, this area is not yet fully understood and remains underrecognized. To meet this gap, we provide a conceptual framework of social communication from a neurodevelopmental perspective, which can be applied to better understand the social communication impairments associated with pediatric TBI. We propose a general model of social communication with component constructs and consideration of internal factors such as sex and gender. These can inform considerations, clinical applications, and future research in assessment and evidence-based interventions within the domain of social communication.

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Remediation of social communication impairments following traumatic brain injury using metacognitive strategy intervention: a pilot study

Brain Injury ◽

10.1080/02699052.2017.1346284 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (13-14) ◽

pp. 1830-1839 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Emma Finch ◽

Petrea Cornwell ◽

Anna Copley ◽

Emmah Doig ◽

Jennifer Fleming

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Social Communication ◽

Metacognitive Strategy ◽

Communication Impairments

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The Cognitive-Communication Checklist for Acquired Brain Injury: A Means of Identifying, Recording, and Tracking Communication Impairments

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2021_ajslp-20-00155 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Sheila MacDonald

Keyword(s):

Brain Injury ◽

Lived Experience ◽

Brain Injuries ◽

Acquired Brain Injury ◽

Service Needs ◽

Communication Service ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Premature Discharge ◽

Communication Impairments ◽

Referral Tool

Purpose The communication service needs of individuals with acquired brain injuries (ABIs) are frequently overlooked, leading to delays, denials, or premature discharge from communication interventions. This is particularly true for those with subtle cognitive-communication deficits, which may not be apparent until sufficiently challenged at work, in school, or in the community. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a referral tool that could promote understanding of the broad range of communication impairments that occur following ABI and lead to improved identification and referral. Method This study evaluated the Cognitive-Communication Checklist for Acquired Brain Injury (CCCABI) through a survey. The CCCABI is a referral tool that summarizes 45 communication difficulties in 10 areas of cognitive-communication functioning. One hundred sixteen speech-language pathologists, 34 multidisciplinary referral sources, and 41 individuals with lived experience of brain injury were surveyed to evaluate the utility of this referral tool. Results The need for such a referral tool was endorsed by 96% of speech-language pathology respondents, 91% of multidisciplinary respondents, and 100% of respondents with lived experience of brain injury. Responses supported the CCCABI as a clear, comprehensive, and accessible tool for education and identification of the communication impairments that can occur after ABI. Conclusion The CCCABI is a means of increasing understanding of communication service needs following ABI in a manner that is accessible to individuals, families, program designers, funding sources, administrators, and multidisciplinary referral sources.

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Financial Management Activity Process: Qualitative inquiry of adults with acquired brain injury

Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/0008417419833839 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 86 (3) ◽

pp. 196-208

Author(s):

Lisa L. Engel ◽

Dorcas E. Beaton ◽

Robin E. Green ◽

Deirdre R. Dawson

Keyword(s):

Brain Injury ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Financial Management ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Intervention Development ◽

Acquired Brain Injury ◽

Qualitative Inquiry ◽

Management Activity ◽

Management Processes ◽

Action Process

Background. Little is known about the financial management occupations of people living with brain injury, despite the importance of these to adult autonomy. Purpose. This work aims to develop a conceptual framework for financial management after adulthood acquired brain injury. Method. This qualitative study used grounded theory methods. Data included semistructured interviews of 10 adults living with brain injury and two close others who assist with financial management occupations. Analysis included initial and focused coding, memo writing, constant comparison, theoretical sampling of questions, and member checking. Findings. The Financial Management Activity Process conceptual framework describes a complex action process. This includes accounting for factors influencing financial choices and actions, and identifying and using a trusted personalized process, including using financial management strategies aligned with the constraints of factors. Implications. This conceptual framework may be useful to assessment and intervention development. It highlights the between-person and between-activity variability in financial management processes and strategy use.

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