Outpatient holistic neuropsychological rehabilitation in moderate-severe traumatic brain injury: A pilot study

Abstract

The present study examined the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of a novel, brief, comprehensive neuropsychological rehabilitation intervention for adults with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the chronic phase. Eight participants with TBI attended a 10-week outpatient programme combining weekly psychoeducation and project-based group interventions with individual neuropsychological rehabilitation. Following the pilot, participants showed clinically significant improvements in goal attainment, were rated by family members as improved in their psychosocial functioning and behavioural competency and reported better quality of life and overall health. Improvements were maintained at three-month follow-up, with the exception of overall health. Retention and attendance rates were high (100 per cent and 90 per cent respectively), as was satisfaction with the programme. The results suggest that brief interventions that combine context-sensitive experiential learning with psychoeducation and goal-focused strategy training are feasible and offer potential to improve functional goal attainment and QoL. Further larger, controlled studies are warranted.