title: Outcomes of a community-based treatment programme for people with acquired brain injury in the chronic phase: a pilot study.
abstract: The objective of the study was to evaluate the outcomes of Brainz, a low intensity community-based treatment programme for people with acquired brain injury (ABI). Participants were 62 people with sustained ABI (5.2 years post-injury, SD = 4.5) and 35 family caregivers. Participants attended two to five cognitive and physical group modules and received two hours of individual home treatment every two weeks. Primary outcomes for people with ABI were participation, perceived difficulties in daily life and need of care, level of goal attainment, and self-esteem. Primary family caregiver outcome was perceived burden of care. Attrition rate of people with ABI was 24% (n = 15), and of family caregivers was 31% (n = 11). People with ABI were more satisfied with the level of their participation after completing Brainz (p < .01), but showed no change in participation frequency or in restrictions (both ps > .01). They perceived fewer difficulties in daily life and less need of care (both ps < .01). Also, in two cognitive modules people improved on their goal achievement (p < .01). However, their self-esteem was reduced (p < .01). Caregiver burden was reduced (p < .01). This study has provided preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of a combined group-based clinical and individual home-based treatment programme, but more research is needed, preferably in larger controlled studies.
authors.affiliation: a InteraktContour , Nunspeet , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marij
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Middag-van Spanje
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology , School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University , MD Maastricht , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smeets
authors.affiliation: c Department of Health Services Research , CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University , MD Maastricht , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jolanda
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Haastregt
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology , School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University , MD Maastricht , The Netherlands.|d Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology , Maastricht University , MD Maastricht , The Netherlands.|e Limburg Brain Injury Center , Maastricht , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4272-7315
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Heugten
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Acquired brain injury; chronic; community-based rehabilitation; outcomes