scholarly journals The Impact of Psycho-Social Interventions on the Wellbeing of Individuals With Acquired Brain Injury During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lowri Wilkie ◽  
Pamela Arroyo ◽  
Harley Conibeer ◽  
Andrew Haddon Kemp ◽  
Zoe Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Social Interventions ◽  
In Series ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Second Wave ◽  
Theoretical Developments

Individuals with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) suffer chronic impairment across cognitive, physical and psycho-social domains, and the experience of anxiety, isolation and apathy has been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative evaluation was conducted of 14 individuals with ABI who had participated in series of COVID adapted group-based intervention(s) that had been designed to improve wellbeing. Eight themes were identified: Facilitating Safety, Fostering Positive Emotion, Managing and Accepting Difficult Emotions, Promoting Meaning, Finding Purpose and Accomplishment, Facilitating Social Ties, (Re)Connecting to Nature, and Barriers to Efficacy. Findings are discussed with respects to recent theoretical developments in positive psychology and wellbeing science and support the use of online and outdoor interventions to enhance wellbeing in individuals living with ABI during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper makes a unique contribution to second wave positive psychology (PP2.0) through the application of recent advances in wellbeing science to an ABI population during the COVID-19 pandemic. In doing so, this paper lays the foundation for new interventions that not only reduce impairment and distress, but also create opportunities for meaning and enhanced wellbeing in people living with chronic conditions and those individuals living with ABI in particular.

scholarly journals Publisher Correction to: BRAINSTORMING: A study protocol for a randomised double-blind clinical trial to assess the impact of concurrent brain stimulation (tDCS) and working memory training on cognitive performance in Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Assecondi ◽  
Rong Hu ◽  
Gail Eskes ◽  
Michelle Read ◽  
Chris Griffiths ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Working Memory Training ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Clinical Trial ◽  
The Impact

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors flagged that the article had published with the Acknowledgements erroneously excluded from the declarations at the end of the article.

The Things that Help, the Things that Get in the Way: Working Together to Improve Outcome Following Acquired Brain Injury

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacinta M. Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Life Changes ◽  
Major Life ◽  
The Family ◽  
Working Together ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Way

Working in neurological rehabilitation brings with it numerous opportunities to gain an understanding of the factors that contribute to shaping meaningful living and wellbeing for those tackling the major life changes encountered following acquired brain injury (ABI). These opportunities come in many forms: challenging and brave clients, wise and worrying families, questioning and inspiring colleagues, empowering and limiting work environments and rigid and advancing policy and legislative contexts.Our personal and collective understanding ofthe things that helpandthe things that get in the wayof effective rehabilitation continuously emerges from the convergence of the experience and knowledge afforded by these opportunities. The aim of this paper is to considerthe things that helpandthe things that get in the wayas they have been identified by people with ABI, their families and those who work with them and have been further evidenced through research targeted towards improving short, medium and long-term outcomes for those living with the consequences of ABI. Thesethingsas discussed in this paper capture the essential role of the self, the importance of rights and access to rehabilitation, the impact of the family and the contribution of social connection.

scholarly journals A qualitative study into the experience of living with acalculia after stroke or acquired brain injury

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yael Benn ◽  
Mark Jayes ◽  
Martin Casassus ◽  
Marney Williams ◽  
Colin Jenkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Acquired Disability ◽  
Numerical Information ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Impact ◽  
Post Onset

Acalculia, an acquired disability following a stroke or brain injury, involves difficulty processing numerical information and/ or calculations. Acalculia is not routinely screened for, and as a result there is a lack of understanding about the nature and prevalence and the impact of the condition. This qualitative study was initiated by stroke survivors with a strong interest in acalculia. Sixteen stroke/brain injury survivors with acalculia and seven carers were interviewed using semi-structured online interviews. Participants ranged in age, gender, time post onset, country of residence and numeracy level prior to brain injury. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Three main themes were identified: Awareness and Diagnosis; Emotional and Practical Impact (independence); Support, Coping Strategies and Self-training. Participants and carers repeatedly referred to the lack of awareness and treatment for acalculia and the impact acalculia has had on their lives and independence. Practical impacts included managing money, making appointments, using timetables, organising social activities and employment, and managing medication. Our results highlight the urgent need to develop suitable assessments and interventions for acalculia and the scope for this to be PCPI-led. The data also reveal useful strategies and suggestions regarding effective timing, targets and approaches for intervention.

The Impact of Community Rehabilitation for Acquired Brain Injury on Carer Burden

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Smith ◽  
Frances L. Vaughan ◽  
Linda J. Cox ◽  
Helen McConville ◽  
Mark Roberts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Carer Burden ◽  
Community Rehabilitation ◽  
The Impact

Comparative Study of the Social Interactions of Two Differently Designed Long-Term Care Facilities for Individuals With Acquired Brain Injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 84-98
Author(s):  
David Brodsky ◽  
Mardelle McCuskey Shepley
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Behavioral Observation ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Impact

Aim: This study focused on long-term care (LTC) settings for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). The goals were (1) to assess the impact of facility configuration on social interactions between residents and staff and (2) obtain a better understanding of staff and resident perceptions of the built environment. Background: A few studies have explored the relationship between the built environment and social interaction in LTC facilities, but there is little empirical data about ABI-specific LTC facilities. Methods: A literature review was conducted on the impact of the built environment on the LTC of brain injury survivors. Via a questionnaire, staff and residents in two settings, one with patient rooms off corridors and the other with patient rooms surrounding a common space, rated the effectiveness of the built environment in promoting social interaction. Behavioral observation was conducted on 18 residents for a duration of 4 hr per resident. Results: Via questionnaires, staff rated the corridor facility as more effective in promoting social interaction, but no significant differences were found between the assessments of the two resident populations. Contrary to staff questionnaire results, residents in the open configuration facility exhibited more social behaviors. Conclusions: Building configuration may impact social interaction between staff and residents in ABI-specific LTC facilities and potentially impact staff and resident quality of life. However, configuration cannot be viewed in a vacuum; residents’ physical and mental limitations, demographic information, and staff engagement must be also considered.

Acquired Brain Injury (Stroke and TBI) in Later Life

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan S. Barker ◽  
Emily C. Gibson ◽  
Gail A. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Vascular System ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
The Impact

The term “acquired brain injury” refers to any type of brain damage that occurs after birth. Two main types of acquired brain injury are stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). A stroke occurs when there is a blockage or bleed in the vascular system of the brain, while a TBI results from an external force to the head. Older adults are at a higher risk of both stroke and TBI; thus, overall incidence is increasing as the proportion of older adults in the population is growing. Stroke and TBI result in immediate and long-term cognitive changes. Impairments in the domains of language, attention, memory, executive functions, perception, and social cognition have been documented following stroke and TBI. However, strokes tend to cause focal or selective cognitive disorders, while cognitive deficits following TBI are widespread and can be generalized. Individuals who have suffered a stroke or TBI may also experience psychosocial changes; for example, symptoms of depression and anxiety are common. Functional outcomes, including independence in activities, are varied and are associated with a range of factors including age, injury severity, cognitive disorders, and psychosocial factors. To achieve optimal outcomes for individuals following stroke and TBI, and to reduce the impact of the injury on everyday functioning, a multidisciplinary rehabilitation process is recommended.

scholarly journals BRAINSTORMING: A study protocol for a randomised double-blind clinical trial to assess the impact of concurrent brain stimulation (tDCS) and working memory training on cognitive performance in Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Assecondi ◽  
Rong Hu ◽  
Gail Eskes ◽  
Michelle Read ◽  
Chris Griffiths ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Working Memory Training ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Home Based ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) admissions have an incidence of 385 per 100,000 of the population in the UK, and as brain injury often involves the frontal networks, cognitive domains affected are likely to be executive control, working memory, and problem-solving deficits, resulting in difficulty with everyday activities. The above observations make working memory, and related constructs such as attention and executive functioning attractive targets for neurorehabilitation. We propose a combined home-based rehabilitation protocol involving the concurrent administration of a working memory training program (adaptive N-back task) with non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to promote long-lasting modification of brain areas underlying working memory function. Method Patients with a working memory deficit will be recruited and assigned to two age-matched groups receiving working memory training for 2 weeks: an active group, receiving tDCS (2 mA for 20 min), and a control group, receiving sham stimulation. After the end of the first 2 weeks, both groups will continue the working memory training for three more weeks. Outcome measures will be recorded at timepoints throughout the intervention, including baseline, after the 2 weeks of stimulation, at the end of the working memory training regimen and 1 month after the completion of the training. Discussion The aim of the study is to assess if non-invasive tDCS stimulation has an impact on performance and benefits of a working memory training regimen. Specifically, we will examine the impact of brain stimulation on training gains, if changes in gains would last, and whether changes in training performance transfer to other cognitive domains. Furthermore, we will explore whether training improvements impact on everyday life activities and how the home-based training regimen is received by participants, with the view to develop an effective home healthcare tool that could enhance working memory and daily functioning. Trial registration This study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04010149 on July 8, 2019.

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