Abstract : OBJECTIVE To determine whether training in coping strategies will improve psychologic functioning a
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Abstract : OBJECTIVE To determine whether training in coping strategies will improve psychologic functioning and self-efficacy in survivors of brain injury (BI) and caregivers.|DESIGN Randomized controlled pilot study with measurements at baseline postintervention and 3-month follow-up.|SETTING Postacute rehabilitation clinic.|PARTICIPANTS Survivors of BI (n=20) and caregivers (n=20).|INTERVENTIONS The Brain Injury Coping Skills Group is a 12-session manualized cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) group providing psychoeducation support and coping skills training. Effects of this preventative intervention were examined on emotional functioning and perceived self-efficacy (PSE).|MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) and Brain Injury Coping Skills Questionnaire.|RESULTS Analyses revealed that the Brain Injury Coping Skills group showed significantly improved PSE compared with the control group immediately posttreatment (F=14.16 P=.001) and maintained this over time. PSE assessed posttreatment predicted global distress at 3-month follow-up across groups (rho=-.46). No differences between treatment and control groups were apparent on the BSI-18 posttreatment. However the control group showed increased emotional distress at 3-month follow-up while the Brain Injury Coping Skills group remained stable over time.|CONCLUSIONS: Few CBT studies have included survivors of BI and caregivers together in group treatment or included a control group. No prior studies have examined the role of PSE specifically. Prior intervention studies show inconsistent effects on emotional functioning, raising questions regarding the role of intervening variables. This study offers a new conceptualization that PSE may moderate longer-term emotional adjustment after brain injury. Results indicate that PSE is an important and modifiable factor in helping persons better adjust to BI.|
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