Alleviation of carer strain during the use of the NeuroPage device by people with acquired brain injury.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of a paging system, NeuroPage (Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust Corporation, Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire, UK), in compensating for memory and planning dysfunctions in people with acquired brain injury (ABI; mainly stroke or traumatic brain injury). In this study, the degree to which this efficacy is accompanied by a reduced experience of strain among carers of patients with ABI was investigated.


METHODS
Carers of 99 people with ABI completed a questionnaire concerning strain resulting from caring for the injured individual. The questionnaire was completed at the following three time points: before the use of NeuroPage, at the end of a 7-week period of use, and, for one subgroup, a further 7 weeks after withdrawal of NeuroPage.


RESULTS
There were significant reductions in strain reported by carers following the 7-week period of NeuroPage use (Cohen's d = 0.3-0.4). This finding persisted when the carer was a spouse or a parent. The reduced strain among carers continued even after withdrawal of NeuroPage.


CONCLUSIONS
The efficacy of the NeuroPage paging system for people with ABI appears to result in reduced strain for their carers.
Teasdale
Thomas W
TW
Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Emslie
Hazel
H
Quirk
Kirsten
K
Evans
Jonathan
J
Fish
Jessica
J
Wilson
Barbara A
BA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017010:Reminder Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires