Social communication skills group treatment: a feasibility study for persons with traumatic brain injury and comorbid conditions.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of improving impaired social communication skills in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concomitant neurological or psychiatric conditions, using an intervention with evidence of efficacy in a TBI cohort without such complications.


METHODS
Cohort study with pre-post intervention and follow-up assessments.


METHODS
Thirty individuals with TBI ≥ 1 year post-injury and identified social communication problems participated in a group intervention to improve social communication skills.


METHODS
Group Interactive Structured Treatment (GIST) for Social Competence; 13 week, 1.5 hour manualized intervention.


METHODS
Profile of Pragmatic Impairment in Communication (PPIC); Social Communication Skills Questionnaire-Adapted (SCSQ-A); LaTrobe Communication Questionnaire (LCQ); Goal Attainment Scale (GAS), Awareness Questionnaire (AQ), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS); Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools (PART).


RESULTS
Participants made statistically significant gains on the SCSQ-A, GAS and SWLS post-treatment and at 6 months follow-up, using self and other ratings. Gains on the PPIC did not reach statistical significance but trended toward improvement. Treatment effects were not noted in analyses of the AQ or the PART. The LCQ showed statistically significant gains post-treatment and at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Participants showed improvement on subjective social communication skills measures post-treatment and at follow-up, demonstrating potential efficacy of the intervention in a broader population of persons with TBI, worthy of further investigation.
Braden
Cynthia
C
Craig Hospital, Englewood, CO, USA. cbraden@craighospital.org
Hawley
Lenore
L
Newman
Jody
J
Morey
Clare
C
Gerber
Don
D
Harrison-Felix
Cynthia
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003142:Communication; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult