Description and Effectiveness of Communication Partner Training in TBI: A Systematic Review

Abstract

database inception to February 2019. Eligibility criteria: Empirical studies on interventions for adult communication partners where the primary focus of the program (>50%) was on improving communication skills of people with TBI and/or communication partners. Data: participants, characteristics of the training, outcome measures and findings. Risk of bias: standard checklists were used for methodological quality (PEDRO, ROBiN-T) and intervention description (TIDieR). Synthesis: narrative synthesis and effect sizes (Cohen's d) for group-level studies. Outcomes: Ten articles (describing eight studies) met eligibility criteria: three randomized controlled trials, two non-randomised controlled trials and three single-case experimental designs. Studies included a total of 258 people with TBI and 328 communication partners, however all but one study had fewer than 65 participants. Methodological quality varied and intervention description poor. Three studies in the final synthesis (n=41 communication partners, n=36 people with TBI) reported positive intervention effects. Effect sizes in group studies were (d=0.80-1.13) for TBI and (d=1.16-2.09) for communication partners. Conclusions: The articles provided encouraging though limited evidence for training communication partners. Greater methodological rigour, more clearly described interventions, and consistent use of outcome measures and follow-up post-treatment are needed. Further research in this field is warranted.

The impact of cognitive-communication difficulties following traumatic brain injury on the family; a qualitative, focus group study

“…Involving family members in communication partner training (CPT) results in improved communication outcomes for the person following TBI and is recommended as best practice for Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP) (61,62,63). Family caregivers report less stress at social events and improved confidence in supporting the person following TBI in conversations following CPT interventions (64).…”

Optimizing our evidence map for cognitive–communication interventions: How it can guide us to better outcomes for adults living with acquired brain injury

“…These consultations led us to shape the clinical recommendations in the CCEAS-Map to include provision of 'tailored' approaches to education and support, 'written' information, 'ongoing access' to information as needs and awareness change, and to provide 'options' adapted to their needs and preferences. Furthermore, based on our consultations and reviews of family education (Grayson et al, 2020), and communication partner training (Behn et al, 2021;Wiseman-Hakes et al, 2020), we decided to emphasize the overarching principles of 'person-centred', 'collaboration', 'contextual' and 'life participation' approaches to intervention. We, therefore, changed the title of the CCEAS-Map Education and Counselling section to Overall Principles and Approaches to Intervention to encapsulate these principles.…”

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