Acquired brain injury self-management programme: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Traditional rehabilitation is not well suited to individuals with chronic mild symptoms following an acquired brain injury. To address this, this study adapted a supported self-management programme (SMP) for this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effectiveness of this novel SMP.


METHODS
Retrospective case series with repeated measures.


METHODS
Fifty-three participants with chronic mild symptoms following an acquired brain injury (primarily mild traumatic brain injury) completed an SMP. The intervention involved eight coaching sessions with each an occupational therapist and psychologist, carried out in the community and based on SMP principles. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure was administered at baseline, discharge and 3- and 9-month follow-up. This measure yielded scores for performance and satisfaction with daily functioning, covering the domains of self-care, productivity and leisure.


RESULTS
A complete case analysis of programme completers revealed that participants' ratings of their occupational performance and satisfaction improved markedly between baseline and discharge from the SMP. This set of outcome measures remained stable between discharge and the two follow-up points.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study suggests that SMPs may improve daily functioning in individuals with chronic mild ABI symptoms. More methodologically robust clinical trials are warranted.
Vancouver General Hospital ,  Vancouver, BC ,  Canada.
Denise
D
Kendrick
Noah D
ND
Silverberg
Susan
S
Barlow
William C
WC
Miller
Jacqui
J
Moffat
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods