A pilot study on the effectiveness of tele-analogy-based problem-solving training for people with brain injuries

Abstract

People with brain injuries must often deal with cognitive problems, including social problem solving. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of a 20-session, online, interactive, skill-training programme on the solving of problems using analogies. It was hypothesized that the programme could help people with brain injuries learn better problem-solving skills through systematic, theoretically driven learning strategies. Fifteen Hong Kong-Chinese with brain injuries participated in this pilot study. They were randomly assigned to an online programme, a computer-assisted programme or a therapist-administered programme. The three programmes had a similar structure and contents, including basic components problem solving, reflective sessions and functional problem solving. Outcome measures included the Category Test of Halstead-Reitan Test Battery, and a daily problem-solving performance and self-efficacy checklist. The results showed that the subjects of the three programmes generally demonstrated higher post-training self-efficacy and basic problem-solving skills. The group using the online programme, however, showed better and quicker improvements in problem-solving performance, and demonstrated a general trend towards making fewer errors in complex problem-solving tasks. In conclusion, people with brain injuries can use the successful problem-solving experiences obtained in the training programmes with different delivery modes to solve daily living problems that are similar in nature. However, the generalizability of the effects of the programme is still to be determined.

INCOG Recommendations for Management of Cognition Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Part III

“…[72][73][74] This set of studies had lower method quality scores on the PEDro-P Scale (5/10, 2/10, and 2/10, respectively). [72][73][74] This set of studies had lower method quality scores on the PEDro-P Scale (5/10, 2/10, and 2/10, respectively).…”

The Implementation of Telepractice in Speech Language Pathology in Hong Kong During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Telepractice is an effective service delivery model across a spectrum of disorders, including childhood speech and language disorders, 7,8 fluency disorders, 9,10 neurogenic communication disorders, [11][12][13] and dysphagia. 14,15 Most areas of speech language pathology practice have evidence supporting the use of telepractice as a model of service delivery, with adaptation using technologies, for example, the use of both synchronous and store-and-forward components.…”

Rehabilitation of executive disorders after brain injury: Are interventions effective?

“…Soong, Tam, Man, and Hui‐Chan (2005) investigated which of three delivery modes of PST was most effective in a pilot study with 15 brain‐injured subjects. These were randomly allocated to a computer‐assisted skills training programme, an on‐line interactive skills training programme, or a therapist‐administered programme.…”

“…The results of 103 subjects who were randomly assigned to one of the four groups showed that the analogy‐based PST was effective for improving problem‐solving skills, regardless of its delivery mode. Both in the pilot study (Soong et al , 2005) as well as in the clinical trial, care was taken to measure generalization of effects by the administration of a self‐efficacy checklist (see Table 1b). Maintenance of effects was not measured in either study.…”

“…Conclusion In this category, three RCTs were found (Man et al , 2006; Soong et al , 2005; Wilson et al , 2001). In the study of Wilson et al (2001), long‐term effects as well as generalization effects were investigated.…”