title: Implementation of multifamily group treatment for veterans with traumatic brain injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the initial efficacy and feasibility of implementing multifamily group treatment for veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Veterans at two Veterans Affairs medical centers were prescreened by their providers for participation in an open trial of multifamily group treatment for TBI. Enrollment was limited to consenting veterans with a clinical diagnosis of TBI sustained during the Operation Enduring Freedom-Operation Iraqi Freedom era, a family member or partner consenting to participate, and a score ≥20 on the Mini-Mental State Examination. The nine-month (April 2010-March 2011) trial consisted of individual family sessions, an educational workshop, and bimonthly multifamily problem-solving sessions. Interpersonal functioning and symptomatic distress among veterans and family burden, empowerment, and symptomatic distress among families were assessed before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Providers referred 34 (58%) of 59 veterans screened for the study; of those, 14 (41%) met criteria and consented to participate, and 11 (32%) completed the study. Severity of TBI, insufficient knowledge about the benefits of family involvement, and access problems influenced decisions to exclude veterans or refuse to participate. Treatment was associated with decreased veteran anger expression (p≤.01) and increased social support and occupational activity (p≤.05), with effect sizes ranging from .6 to 1.0. Caregivers reported decreased burden (p≤.05) and increased empowerment (p≤.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results supported implementation of a randomized controlled trial, building in education at the provider and family level.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA. deborah.perlick@va.gov
authors: Deborah A
authors: DA
authors: Perlick
authors: Kristy
authors: K
authors: Straits-Troster
authors: Jennifer L
authors: JL
authors: Strauss
authors: Diane
authors: D
authors: Norell
authors: Larry A
authors: LA
authors: Tupler
authors: Bruce
authors: B
authors: Levine
authors: Xiaodong
authors: X
authors: Luo
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Holman
authors: Tara
authors: T
authors: Marcus
authors: Lisa B
authors: LB
authors: Dixon
authors: Dennis G
authors: DG
authors: Dyck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*