Development and evaluation of a pictorial-based analogical problem-solving programme for people with traumatic brain injury.
BACKGROUND
People with traumatic brain injury (TBI) must often deal with cognitive problems, including social problem-solving. The study reported herein evaluated the effectiveness of a newly developed pictorial-based analogical problem-solving skills training programme. It is hypothesized that the programme can help people with TBI to learn better problem-solving skills through systematic, theoretically driven learning strategies.


METHODS
Based on the instrumental enrichment model and the hierarchy of daily problem-solving as suggested by Holloran and Bressler, analogical problem-solving training software was developed. Thirty subjects with TBI then attended a 20-session interactive analogical problem-solving skills training programme. Another 20 subjects with TBI and of similar demographics formed the control group. The outcome measures included session-based quizzes on analogical problem-solving, the Category Test of the Halstead Reitan Test Battery (HRTB) and the Lawton IADL Scale.


RESULTS
The analogical problem-solving training strategies were found to be effective in improving problem-solving skills. The subjects generally demonstrated a selective improvement in their functional and overall problem-solving skills, but not in their basic problem-solving skills. The subjects in the control group showed stable problem-solving skills over a 4-week interval (no statistically significant changes). The findings indicated the therapeutic significance of the training programme.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the study suggested that innovative cognitive rehabilitation programmes can be customized to match the needs of clients with TBI. The applicability and implications of the interactive pictorial-based analogical problem-solving skill-training programme that was used in the study and possibilities for future study in this research area are also discussed.
Man
David Wai-Kwong
DW
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, PR China. rsdavid@polyu.edu.hk
Soong
Wallace Y L
WY
Tam
Sing-Fai
SF
Hui-Chan
Christina W Y
CW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011340:Problem Solving; D016896:Treatment Outcome