A New Intervention for Social Communication Skills Following Brain Injury

An Investigation Into the Effectiveness of a Social Communication Skills Training Programme for Adults Following Brain Injury Using a Peer Learning Model

To investigate the effectiveness of a peer-led social skills training intervention compared to social activity (usual care) to improve social communication skills following severe brain injury.

A pilot study first tested the feasibility of the approach and the sensitivity of existing outcome measures to changes in group social interaction. Following amendments to the pilot protocol, twelve new participants with severe ABI were recruited from a residential post-acute rehabilitation centre in April 2015. An experimental parallel group design was used to compare a peer-led group intervention to a staff-led social activity group. Participants were randomised to a peer-led intervention (n=6) or a staff-led social activity group (usual care) (n=6). The groups met twice a week for 8 weeks. A peer with severe ABI was trained separately to facilitate interaction in the peer-led group. The training took place in 16 individual sessions over 4 weeks. Group behaviour was measured twice at baseline, after intervention and at maintenance (4 weeks) using measures meeting reliability, validity and responsiveness criteria tested in the pilot study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults between 18 and 70 years
• A diagnosis of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) or severe acquired brain injury (ABI) with similar cognitive presentation to TBI
• Minimum of six months post injury
• Evidence of a social communication impairment as a result of injury
• Ability to tolerate group activity

Exclusion Criteria:

• Significant aphasia
• Severe depression or psychiatric disorder
• Insufficient English to converse with peers
• Profound cognitive impairment