A structured multicomponent group programme for carers of people with acquired brain injury: Effects on perceived criticism, strain, and psychological distress

Abstract

What is already known on this subject? A number of studies have suggested that carers of people with acquired brain injury (ABI) experience greater levels of carer burden and mental health difficulties than carers of other patient groups. Previous interventional studies on ABI are few, and such studies have diverged in the extent to which they have been oriented towards education, psychological support, or management of behavioural difficulties, making results somewhat difficult to apply in community health settings with this potential client group. What does this study add? We develop, describe, and evaluate a brief structured multicomponent carers' training and support programme for carers of people with ABI. Not all outcomes were affected positively by the intervention. While the intervention successfully reduced carer strain and critical comments, distress did not significantly reduce compared to people in a waiting list control group. Carers who were spouses/partners and carers who were parents exhibited comparable levels of strain, distress, and perceived criticism. Younger carers reported significantly higher levels of distress and carer strain at induction to the programme. The positive effects of the programme were maintained for at least 3 months, suggesting that it may have initial validity for improving some of the negative aspects of the carer experience.

Health status, difficulties, and desired health information and services for veterans with traumatic brain injuries and their caregivers: A qualitative investigation

“…Additionally, both caregivers and Veterans often felt language and a lack of understandability was a barrier to receiving and utilizing information on TBI. Previous research has shown these barriers often add to the stress of increased responsibilities caregivers face, in return, increasing negative health outcomes for the TBI patient [ 37 ].…”

Family-oriented interventions for adults with acquired brain injury and their families: a scoping review

“…[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] Interventions took place in fifteen countries, mostly in the U.S.A. (n=30) [31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] and in Europe (n=22). 39,40,[65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84] A majority of studies (n=35) included families and patients after stroke 8,31,32,34,35,41,42,48,51,54,…”

“…44,66,81,82 [Insert Table 1] 2 summarizes the different core components recorded. The most frequent (n=33) core components were emotional support 8,[31][32][33][36][37][38][39][40]43,[45][46][47][48]50,57,65,67,[73][74][75][76][77]79,86,87,89,91,93,95,98 , which included support from professionals and peer support, education (n=32) and specifically active information 8,[31][32][33][36][37][38]41,42,44,45,48,49,53,…”

“…Most interventions had irregular frequencies (n=25) 34,35,39,41,42,[44][45][46]48,50,51,54,55,57,58,61,63,64,66,68,70,73,74,86,90,96,101 , 18 interventions took place weekly or bi-weekly 8,[31][32][33]43,67,71,72,75,77,79,[82][83][84]88,92,94,95,98,99 , 13 took place monthly to bi-monthly 47,49,52,56,65,76,<...>…”

“…[31][32][33][34][35]41,42,45,51,55,60,63,85,86,90,93 Nine interventions were tested during the rehabilitation phase. 50,53,66,73,76,77,79,81,96 Five interventions started during or in the acute phase. 39,40,65,69,101 Delivery mode.…”