[Management of communication in patients after severe traumatic brain injury. Pilot study].
OBJECTIVE
In the long term, people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) present with communication disorders impairing their professional and social integration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of group therapy on communication disorders of people with TBI in the post-hospital period.


METHODS
Four patients were followed in the medico-social department "Auprès-TC" and took part in various day programs. Two speech therapists participated for a 7-month period using group therapy to take into account communication disorders. The patients and families were evaluated at the beginning and end of care, by use of the Lille Communication Test, the Bordeaux Scale of Verbal Communication, the Revised Neurobehavioural Rating Scale, and part of the European document EBIS.


RESULTS
Despite the delay since TBI, patients showed quantitative and qualitative evolution of communicative abilities.


CONCLUSIONS
The influence of group therapy on the improvement of communication in patients with TBI should be reconsidered, because in this study, familial and institutional environment influenced the communication. Group therapy allows for communication care from an ecological point of view, by enhancing interactions.
Mercat
B
B
Service Auprès-TC, Hôpital de La-Bassée, BP 60, 59037 Wavrin cedex, France.
Renouf
A
A
Kozlowski
O
O
Rousseaux
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D013070:Speech Therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome