TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2012//
TI  - Can deficits in empathy after head injury be improved by compassionate imagery?
JO  - Neuropsychological rehabilitation
A1  - O'Neill, M.
A1  - McMillan, T. M.
SP  - 836
EP  - 851
VL  - 22
IS  - 6
N2  - Severe head injury (SHI) can result in problems in empathising, which in turn is associated with social difficulties. Compassionate imagery can increase compassion in non-brain injured people and can alter how they relate to themselves and others. This preliminary study investigates whether compassionate imagery can increase empathy in those with low empathy after SHI. A between-group repeated measures design was used wth 24 participants with severe SHI and low empathy, randomly allocated to a single treatment session of compassionate imagery or a control condition of relaxation. Empathy, self-compassion and relaxation were assessed pre- and post-intervention and fear of compassion pre-intervention as a potential covariate. A group effect of compassionate imagery on empathy was not found, F(1, 21) = 0.12, p = .73. A non-specific increase in self-compassion approached significance, T = 78.00, p = 0.07, r = -.26. Fear of compassion did not correlate significantly with changes in self-compassion or empathy. Demographic and injury factors associated with SHI that may impact on treatment effectiveness are discussed. Further research that takes these factors into account is warranted.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0960-2011
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2012.691886
ID  - ref1
ER  -