Goal attainment scaling: Does it provide added value as a person-centred measure for evaluation of outcome in neurorehabilitation following acquired brain injury?

This paper describes the added value that arises from capitalising on academic and social networks for researchers and people with acquired brain injury. First, it is proposed that brain injury researchers are connected within six degrees of separation. As a model, ‘The Oracle of Bacon’ demonstrates how any actor can be linked through his or her film roles to the actor Kevin Bacon within six steps. This concept is extrapolated to the existing networks of brain injury researchers. Capitalising on these networks can lead to potent and ground-breaking discoveries. The Clinical Centre of Research Excellence (CCRE) in Aphasia Rehabilitation provides an example of the benefits of networking and collaboration in the quest to improve the lives of people with aphasia. The CCRE uses multiple theoretical perspectives in studies evaluating the assessment and treatment of aphasia. It is utilising capacity building, knowledge translation and a community of practice to inform and expand research capacity. Networks can also be used to improve the communication of people with brain injury within their everyday environment. A recent study is described where communication partners were trained to improve the interactions of people with traumatic brain injury, which led to improvements in social networks and improved engagement in life activities. Finally, it is suggested that with the advances in e-communication, there is a great deal of scope for the use of social networking technologies in the assessment and treatment of people with acquired brain injury.

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Life goal attainment in the adaptation process after acquired brain injury: the influence of self-efficacy and of flexibility and tenacity in goal pursuit

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215514549484 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 611-622 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Ingrid Brands ◽

Sven Stapert ◽

Sebastian Köhler ◽

Derick Wade ◽

Caroline van Heugten

Keyword(s):

Brain Injury ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Goal Attainment ◽

Goal Pursuit ◽

Acquired Brain Injury ◽

Adaptation Process ◽

Life Goal

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A systematic review of personal smart technologies used to improve outcomes in adults with acquired brain injuries

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215519865774 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 33 (11) ◽

pp. 1705-1712 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jade Kettlewell ◽

Roshan das Nair ◽

Kate Radford

Keyword(s):

Brain Injury ◽

Goal Attainment ◽

Brain Injuries ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Acquired Brain Injury ◽

Reference List ◽

Smart Technology ◽

Smart Technologies ◽

Author Citations

Objective: This review aimed to determine the effectiveness of personal smart technologies on outcomes in adults with acquired brain injury. Data sources: A systematic literature search was conducted on 30 May 2019. Twelve electronic databases, grey literature databases, PROSPERO, reference list and author citations were searched. Methods: Randomised controlled trials were included if personal smart technology was used to improve independence, goal attainment/function, fatigue or quality of life in adults with acquired brain injury. Data were extracted using a bespoke form and the TIDieR checklist. Studies were graded using the PEDro scale to assess quality of reporting. Meta-analysis was conducted across four studies. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria, generating a total of 244 participants. All studies were of high quality (PEDro ⩾ 6). Interventions included personal digital assistant, smartphone app, mobile phone messaging, Neuropage and an iPad. Reporting of intervention tailoring for individual needs was inconsistent. All studies measured goal attainment/function but none measured independence or fatigue. One study ( n = 42) reported a significant increase in memory-specific goal attainment ( p = 0.0001) and retrospective memory function ( p = 0.042) in favour of the intervention. Another study ( n = 8) reported a significant increase in social participation in favour of the intervention ( p = 0.01). However, our meta-analyses found no significant effect of personal smart technology on goal attainment, cognitive or psychological function. Conclusion: At present, there is insufficient evidence to support the clinical benefit of personal smart technologies to improve outcomes in acquired brain injury. Researchers need to conduct more randomised studies to evaluate these interventions and measure their potential effects/harms.

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