Citation

Howell S, Beeke S, Pring T, Varley R. Neuropsychol. Rehabil. 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09602011.2020.1760892

PMID

32408795

Abstract

Reduced social competence following severe acquired brain injury (ABI) is well-documented. This pilot study investigated a peer-led group intervention based on the claim that peer models may be a more effective mechanism for behaviour change than clinician-led approaches. Twelve participants with severe ABI were recruited from a post-acute neurorehabilitation setting and randomly assigned to either a peer-led intervention or a staff-led activity group (usual care) (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02211339). The groups met twice a week for 8 weeks. A peer was trained separately to facilitate interaction in the intervention group. Training comprised 16 individual sessions over 4 weeks. Group behaviour was measured twice at baseline, after intervention and at maintenance (4 weeks), using the Adapted Measure of Participation in Conversation (MPC) and the Interactional Network Tool (INT), a newly devised measure of group conversational interaction. Outcome measures showed differential sensitivity. The groups did not differ in baseline behaviour.

FINDINGS showed a significant improvement in the treated group on the MPC transaction scale post-intervention (p = .02). The intervention group showed more balanced interaction post-intervention on the INT and at follow-up.

FINDINGS show preliminary evidence of the advantage for peer-led groups. The INT shows promise as a method to detect a change in group communication behaviour.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02211339.

Language: en

Keywords

Brain injury; Communication; Intervention, group; Rehabilitation; Social networks