title: Improving personal self-advocacy skills for individuals with brain injury: A randomized pilot feasibility study.
abstract: To investigate the feasibility of a self-advocacy intervention for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI).
  
  
  
  Two-arm, parallel-design, randomized feasibility study.
  
  
  
  Twelve participants, 1-year or more post-ABI (TBI and cerebral vascular accident (CVA)), were randomized into treatment/control groups. The treatment group received a group intervention and workbook; the control group received the workbook only. Outcome measures, taken at baseline, post-treatment and 6-weeks follow-up, included the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) and two exploratory measures developed for the study: the Self Advocacy Scale (SAS) and the Personal Advocacy Activity Scale (PAAS).
  
  
  
  Participants were successfully recruited and treated per protocol. The treatment group exhibited improvements from baseline to post-treatment on all measures; the control group improved on the GSES and declined on all others. Both groups exhibited improvement on all measures at follow-up, except the PAAS, which declined. There were no significant group differences on non-parametric analysis at any assessment points; however, the magnitude of change at post-treatment approached significance for the SAS and PAAS.
  
  
  
  Initial feasibility for the methodology was demonstrated. Positive trends were noted. Further research could result in an evidence-based intervention to enhance self-advocacy post-ABI.
authors.affiliation: a Craig Hospital , Englewood , CO , USA.
authors.forename: Lenore
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hawley
authors.affiliation: a Craig Hospital , Englewood , CO , USA.
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.affiliation: a Craig Hospital , Englewood , CO , USA.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010551:Personality; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Self-efficacy; advocacy; empowerment; goal-setting; group; intervention