INCOG 2.0 Guidelines for Cognitive Rehabilitation Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Part IV: Cognitive-Communication and Social Cognition Disorders

Nursing management of cognitive dysfunction in adults with brain injury: Summary of best evidence-practiced strategies

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the best evidence-based strategies for the management of cognitive dysfunction in patients with brain injury and to provide a reference for clinical nursing practice.

DESIGN

Review.

METHODS

The review was presented using PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of evidence on the management of cognitive dysfunction in patients with brain injury was conducted in computerized decision systems, guideline websites, professional association websites and comprehensive databases from the date of creation to 21 June 2023. The types of evidence included were clinical decision making, guidelines, evidence summaries, best practices, recommended practices, expert consensus, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Two researchers trained in evidence-based methodological systems independently evaluated the quality of the literature and extracted, integrated and graded the evidence for inclusion.

RESULTS

A total of 20 articles were selected, including nine guidelines, three expert consensus articles, one clinical practice article and seven systematic reviews, and the overall quality of the literature was high. Thirty pieces of evidence were summarized in seven areas: assessment, multidisciplinary team, rehabilitation program, cognitive intervention, exercise intervention, music intervention and medication management.

CONCLUSIONS

This study summarizes the latest evidence on the management of cognitive dysfunction in the care of adults with brain injury and provides a reference for clinical nursing practice. The best evidence should be selected for localized and individualized application in clinical work, and the best evidence should be continuously updated to standardize nursing practice.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE

Patients with cognitive impairment after brain injury often suffer from memory loss, attention deficit and disorientation and are unable to have a normal life and experience much enjoyment, which seriously affects their physical and mental health and creates a great burden of care for their families and society. Best evidence-based strategies for the nursing management of cognitive impairment in brain injury are essential for standardizing clinical nursing practice and providing timely, professional, systematic and comprehensive nursing interventions for patients.

REPORTING METHOD

This review is reported following the PRISMA 2020 statement guidelines, as applicable, to enhance transparency in reporting the evidence synthesis.

TRIAL AND PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

This study has been registered with the Fudan University Centre for Evidence-based Nursing, a JBI Centre of Excellence under registration number ES20232566, http://ebn.nursing.fudan.edu.cn/myRegisterList.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

Digital, co-created implementation of communication partner training programs for stroke, brain injury, and dementia: Past, present, and future

PURPOSE

Communication partner training is a recommended intervention for partners of people with acquired brain injury. In this paper we explore the past, present, and future of communication partner training (CPT) based on our 2023 Speech Pathology Australia national conference address.

METHOD

We focus on our research team's contributions, and highlight research knowledge across stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and dementia. This work is anchored in the voice of people with communication disability. One partner in the CPT journey, Rosey Morrow, co-authors this paper.

RESULT

The CPT evidence base for acquired neurological conditions is growing, including in the areas of technology, co-design, and translation. However, knowledge and implementation gaps remain.

CONCLUSION

The future of CPT will require us to harness co-design and technology, whilst meeting the implementation challenges of complex systems to enable communication for all.

Wishes, beliefs, and jealousy: use of mental state terms in Cinderella retells after traumatic brain injury

Introduction

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) negatively impacts social communication in part due to social cognitive difficulties, which may include reduced mental state term (MST) use in some discourse genres. As social cognitive difficulties can negatively impact relationships, employment, and meaningful everyday activities, assessing and treating these difficulties post-TBI is crucial. To address knowledge gaps, the present study examined MST use in the narrative retells of adults with and without severe TBI to compare between-group performance, evaluate changes over the first two years post-TBI, and investigate the impact of participant and injury-related variables.

Methods

The total number of MSTs, ratio of MSTs to total utterances, and diversity of MSTs were identified in the Cinderella narratives of 57 participants with no brain injury and 57 with TBI at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24-months post-TBI.

Results

Reduced MST use in participants with TBI was found at 3, 6, 9, and 12-months post-TBI, but these reductions disappeared when story length (total utterances) was accounted for. Further, MST diversity did not differ between groups. Similarly, although the total number of MSTs increased over time post-TBI, no changes were observed in the ratio of MSTs to total utterances or MST diversity over time. Injury severity (post-traumatic amnesia duration), years of education, and verbal reasoning abilities were all related to MST use.

Discussion

Overall, although individuals used fewer MSTs in complex story retells across the first year following severe TBI, this reduction reflected impoverished story content, rather than the use of a lower ratio of MSTs. Further, key prognostic factors related to MST use included injury severity, educational attainment, and verbal reasoning ability. These findings have important implications for social communication assessment and treatment targeting social cognition post-TBI.

Revising the Pragmatics Profile of Everyday Communication Skills for traumatic brain injury: An international Delphi study

BACKGROUND

Assessment tools that assess pragmatic skills in adults with a mild-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are hard to access, not person-centred and have a high risk of clinician bias. The Pragmatics Profile is an informant report tool that was originally designed to assess pragmatic skills in people with a developmental disability.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to seek consensus from a panel of experts and create a version of the Pragmatics Profile for the TBI population.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

A three-round modified Delphi methodology panel of 13 experts were invited to comment anonymously on the suitability of each question from the Pragmatics Profile modified for those with TBI until ≥ 80% agreement was reached.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

The Pragmatics Profile (TBI) included 66 questions that achieved consensus after three rounds of the Delphi panel. Qualitative analysis illuminated themes relating to adults with TBI and the need to include contextual factors.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The outcome of this project was a revised version of the Pragmatics Profile which is suitable for adults with a mild-severe TBI, informed by experts and freely available online. Future research exploring the tool's utility and acceptability is the next step in its evaluation.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on this subject Assessment of the everyday functional use of language is challenging but vital. This is particularly true for those who have traumatic brain injury (TBI) where the communication outcomes can be highly variable and may include difficulties with conversational turn-taking, topic maintenance and reading social cues. There are limited tools available to clinicians and those tend to be rating scales or checklists which have a high risk of clinician bias. Available tools have a limited ability to capture the individual's personal social communication goals. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study created an online Pragmatics Profile (PP) for TBI based on experts' opinions. This paper details the themes that emerged during the process of revising the PP for those with TBI. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? The PP-TBI adds to the toolkit for speech and language therapists working with people with TBI. It meets recent recommendations in the literature to create an interview-based tool. The versatility of an online tool combined with revised input from a panel of experts increases the likelihood that clinicians will utilise this tool. Given the long-term use of the original PP by clinicians for almost 30 years and a focus on personalised care, the format and approach are also likely to be acceptable to clinicians.

Family members' and friends' reports after standard and intensive group treatment for social communication difficulties following acquired brain injury - a mixed method approach

OBJECTIVE

To examine family members/friends' perception of change following standard and intensive group interactive structured treatment (GIST) for persons with social communication difficulties (SCDs).

METHODS

A parallel mixed methods design combining data from questionnaires, the Goal Attainment Scale, and interviews.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-nine adult (>18 years) family members/friends (69.4% female) of persons with SCDs and acquired brain injury (ABI) (cohabitating partner, 53.1%; other relatives, 30.6%; friends, 16.3%).

INTERVENTION

Standard GIST consisted of 12 weekly outpatient sessions (2.5 h). Intensive GIST consisted of 4 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation (2 × 3 days/week, 2 × 4 days/week). Both treatments included 3- and 6-month follow-ups.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Quantitative measures (n = 49) included the following informant reports: Latrobe Communication Questionnaire (LCQ), Social Communication Skills Questionnaire-Adapted (SCSQ-A), Behavior Rating Inventory for Executive Functions-Adult version (BRIEF-A), and Goal Attainment Scale. The qualitative measure (n=9) was an interview performed at 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Converging results were found, suggesting a perceived positive change over time for both standard and intensive GIST, with no substantial differences reported between the treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

Family members/friends reported improved social communication skills of the persons with SCDs following standard and intensive GIST. However, the integration of data showed the complexity of assessing SCDs and the need for further investigation.

Cognitive impairment in Chinese traumatic brain injury patients: from challenge to future perspectives

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a prevalent form of neurological damage that may induce varying degrees of cognitive dysfunction in patients, consequently impacting their quality of life and social functioning. This article provides a mini review of the epidemiology in Chinese TBI patients and etiology of cognitive impairment. It analyzes the risk factors of cognitive impairment, discusses current management strategies for cognitive dysfunction in Chinese TBI patients, and summarizes the strengths and limitations of primary testing tools for TBI-related cognitive functions. Furthermore, the article offers a prospective analysis of future challenges and opportunities. Its objective is to contribute as a reference for the prevention and management of cognitive dysfunction in Chinese TBI patients.

Use of Social Media Data Mining to Examine Needs, Concerns, and Experiences of People With Traumatic Brain Injury

PURPOSE

Given the limited availability of topic-specific resources, many people turn to anonymous social media platforms such as Reddit to seek information and connect to others with similar experiences and needs. Mining of such data can therefore identify unmet needs within the community and allow speech-language pathologists to incorporate clients' real-life insights into clinical practices.

METHOD

A mixed-method analysis was performed on 3,648 traumatic brain injury (TBI) subreddit posts created between 2013 and 2021. Sentiment analysis was used to determine the sentiment expressed in each post; topic modeling and qualitative content analysis were used to uncover the main topics discussed across posts. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on injury severity, chronicity, and whether the post was authored by a person with TBI or a close other.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the number of posts with positive sentiment and the number of posts with negative sentiment. Comparisons between subgroups showed significantly higher positive sentiment in posts by or about people with moderate-to-severe TBI (compared to mild TBI) and who were more than 1 month postinjury (compared to less than 1 month). Posts by close others had significantly higher positive sentiment than posts by people with TBI. Topic modeling identified three meta-themes: Recovery, Symptoms, and Medical Care. Qualitative content analysis further revealed that returning to productivity and life as well as sharing recovery tips were the primary focus under the Recovery theme. Symptom-related posts often discussed symptom management and validation of experiences. The Medical Care theme encompassed concerns regarding diagnosis, medication, and treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Concerns and needs shift over time following TBI, and they extend beyond health and functioning to participation in meaningful daily activities. The findings can inform the development of tailored educational resources and rehabilitative approaches, facilitating recovery and community building for individuals with TBI.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24881340.

A qualitative exploration of speech-language pathologists' approaches in treating spoken discourse post-traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

Spoken discourse impairments post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) are well-documented and heterogeneous in nature. These impairments have chronic implications for adults in terms of employment, socializing and community involvement. Intervention delivered by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is recommended for adults with discourse impairments post-TBI, with an emphasis on context-sensitive treatment. The developing evidence base indicates a wide array of treatment components for SLPs to evaluate and implement within their clinical practice. However, there is limited insight into how SLPs are currently treating discourse impairments and the rationales informing clinical practice.

AIMS

To explore the under-researched area of clinical practice for spoken discourse interventions with adults post-TBI, including treatment components and clinician rationales, and to contribute towards a shared knowledge base.

METHODS & PROCEDURES

Participants were recruited via purposeful sampling strategies. Six SLPs participated from Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US). Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom. Interviews were manually transcribed, coded and analysed via a qualitative content analysis approach.

OUTCOMES & RESULTS

Participants described discourse treatment practices across various settings and TBI recovery stages. Results indicated that SLPs used numerous treatment activities, resources and outcome measures. Intervention approaches primarily targeted social communication skills, strategy development/utilization and insight-building. Clinical practice conformed to available guidelines where possible, reflected best practice and incorporated components of the research literature. Participants reported using individualized treatment activities aimed at addressing client-specific factors and rationales prioritized tailored, context-sensitive and goal-directed treatment.

CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS

This study provided insight into a previously under-researched area. It highlighted a wide range of treatment activities and factors informing current SLPs' treatment of spoken discourse impairment post-TBI. Overall, clinical practice and rationales discussed in this study were aligned with best practice and emphasized a contextualized, individualized approach to discourse treatment across service settings and stages of recovery. Participants identified areas requiring further support, including access to training, resources and research, and the challenge of finding suitable outcome measures. Further investigation into discourse management post-TBI, from initial assessment to outcome measurement, may help inform clinical decision-making and the transfer of research to practice.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on the subject Spoken discourse impairments occur in dialogic and monologic productions post-TBI. Interventions targeting both genres are detailed within the research literature; however, studies exploring clinical practice and decision-making for discourse interventions post-TBI are limited. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study provides new insight into the current treatment targets, activities, resources and outcome measures employed by clinicians supporting adults with discourse impairment post-TBI. It details the factors that influence clinical decision-making for this caseload and identifies an emphasis on client priorities and the value of clinician experience. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? This study identifies the broad and complex considerations required to deliver context-sensitive discourse intervention post-TBI. It indicates the need for an in-depth review from assessment to treatment outcomes to better understand and support this area of practice and to direct future research. This study also highlighted the role of clinician experience in discourse intervention and the value of sharing clinical knowledge and resources within and across the profession to support all levels of clinician experience.

Rehabilitation access for individuals with cognitive-communication challenges after traumatic brain injury: A co-design study with persons with lived experience

BACKGROUND

Adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) frequently experience cognitive, emotional, physical and communication deficits that require long-term rehabilitation and community support. Although access to rehabilitation services is linked to positive outcomes, there can be barriers to accessing community rehabilitation related to system navigation, referral processes, funding, resource allocation and communications required to ensure access.

AIMS

This study aimed to identify barriers to accessing insurer funding for rehabilitation and healthcare services, for adults with TBI injured in motor vehicle collisions (MVCs).

METHODS

We used a co-design approach to collaborate with persons with lived experience to design a survey of adults who sustained a TBI in an MVC. The survey examined access to insurer funding for rehabilitation services and was disseminated through brain injury networks in Ontario, Canada.

RESULTS

Respondents (n = 148) identified multiple barriers to accessing rehabilitation services through insurer funding, including delays of more than 2 years (49%), mandatory duplicative assessments (64%) and invasion of privacy (55%). Speech-language therapy and neuropsychological services were denied most frequently. Negative experiences included insurers' poor understanding of TBI symptoms, denials of services despite medical evidence demonstrating need and unsupportive insurer interactions. Although 70% of respondents reported cognitive-communication difficulties, accommodations were rarely provided. Respondents identified supports that would improve insurer and healthcare communications and rehabilitation access.

CONCLUSION & IMPLICATIONS

The insurance claims process had many barriers for adults with TBI, limiting their access to rehabilitation services. Barriers were exacerbated by communication deficits. These findings indicate a role for Speech-language therapists in education, advocacy and communication supports during the insurance process specifically as well as rehabilitation access processes in general.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on this subject There is extensive documentation of the long-term rehabilitation needs of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their challenges in accessing rehabilitation services over the long term. It is also well known that many individuals with TBI have cognitive and communication deficits that affect their interactions in the community, including with healthcare providers, and that SLTs can train communication partners to provide communication supports to individuals with TBI in these communication contexts. What this study adds This study adds important information about barriers to accessing rehabilitation, including barriers to accessing SLT services in the community. We asked individuals with TBI about challenges to accessing auto insurance funding for private community services, and their responses illustrate the broader challenges individuals with TBI face in communicating their deficits, conveying service needs, educating and convincing service administrators and self-advocating. The results also highlight the critical role that communication plays in healthcare access interactions, from completing forms to reviewing reports and funding decisions, to managing telephone calls, writing emails and explaining to assessors. What are the clinical implications of this work? This study shows the lived experience of individuals with TBI in overcoming barriers to accessing community rehabilitation. The results show that best practices in intervention should include evaluating rehabilitation access, which is a critical step in patient-centred care. Evaluation of rehabilitation access includes evaluating referral and navigation, resource allocation and healthcare communications, and ensuring accountability at each step, regardless of model of service delivery or funding source. Finally, these findings show the critical role of speech-language therapists in educating, advocating and supporting communications with funding sources, administrators and other healthcare providers.

Addressing Cyberscams and Acquired Brain Injury ("I Desperately Need to Know What to Do"): Qualitative Exploration of Clinicians' and Service Providers' Perspectives

BACKGROUND

People with acquired brain injury (ABI) may be more susceptible to scams owing to postinjury cognitive and psychosocial consequences. Cyberscams result in financial loss and debilitating psychological impacts such as shame and mistrust, interference with neurorehabilitation, and reduced independence. Despite these significant consequences, there are no psychological treatments to support cyberscam survivors. There is limited evidence regarding how the current workforce is addressing post-ABI cyberscams.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to understand the perspectives and needs of clinicians and service providers in addressing post-ABI cyberscams.

METHODS

Overall, 20 multidisciplinary clinicians and service providers were recruited through purposive sampling across Australia. Semistructured interviews explored post-ABI scam experiences and vulnerabilities, treatments and their efficacy, and recommendations for future cybersafety recovery interventions. Reflexive thematic analysis was used.

RESULTS

In total, 8 themes encompassing a biopsychosocial understanding of scam vulnerabilities and impacts were identified: "genuine lack of awareness: cognitive-executive difficulties"; "not coping with the loss of it all"; "needing trust and connection"; "strong reactions of trusted others"; "nothing structured to do"; "financial stress and independence"; "cyberability"; and "scammer persuasion." Each theme informed clinical recommendations including the need to provide psychological and cognitive support, enhance financial and cybersafety skills, promote meaningful social engagement, and foster collaboration between families and clinical support teams.

CONCLUSIONS

The multifaceted range of scam vulnerabilities and impacts highlighted the need for individualized, comprehensive, and targeted treatments using a biopsychosocial approach to enable cyberscam recovery among people with ABI. These findings will guide the development of a co-designed intervention.

Treating social cognition impairment with the online therapy 'SoCoBo': A randomized controlled trial including traumatic brain injury patients

OBJECTIVE

Acquired brain injuries (ABIs), such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), often entail impairments of general cognition (e.g., memory, attention or executive functions) and social cognition (e.g. emotion recognition, theory of mind [ToM], social problem-solving). The availability of fully computerized interventions targeting sociocognitive deficits specifically in neurologically impaired patients is extremely limited. Therefore, the Treatment Program for Deficits in Social Cognition and Social Competencies of the Ruhr University Bochum (SoCoBo), a fully computerized online therapy designed for ABI patients was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial involving TBI patients.

METHOD

Sixty-four patients with TBI were randomly assigned to two groups with 43 patients fully completing either SoCoBo (N = 27) or a commercially available computerized program for cognitive rehabilitation (RehaCom®, N = 16). All participants underwent comprehensive pre-post online neuropsychological assessment and worked with their respective rehabilitation programs for four days a week during a scheduled period of 12 weeks.

RESULTS

After treatment, the SoCoBo group, but not the RehaCom® group showed significant improvements in facial emotion recognition and self-rated empathy. Moreover, in the SoCoBo group, an increase in empathy was also associated with increased life satisfaction after treatment. There were no improvements in ToM and social problem-solving. Furthermore, general cognition did not improve in any of the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

SoCoBo represents an effective new online therapy for the amelioration of deficits in key domains of social cognition. Its implementation in clinical practice will serve as a meaningful addition to the existing fully computerized approaches specifically in neurological patient groups.

Communication between rehabilitation staff and people with traumatic brain injury: A systematic review

This systematic review aimed to synthesize barriers and facilitators in communicative interactions between staff and people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the rehabilitation context. Searches captured published evidence up to November 2022 in MEDLINE, Embase, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CINAHL, AMED, and PsycINFO. Eligible studies reported on the communicative interaction between rehabilitation staff and adults with TBI. In total, 31 studies were included in the review; including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods designs. Quality assessment was carried out using standard checklists. Quantitative studies and quantitative components of mixed-method studies were synthesized descriptively according to reported communication barriers and facilitators. Qualitative studies and qualitative components of mixed-method studies were analysed through an inductive thematic meta-synthesis; generating six main themes with four subthemes. Themes were categorized as barriers or facilitators to communicative interaction. Findings demonstrated that cognitive-communication disorders of people with TBI challenge the communicative interaction between rehabilitation staff and people with TBI. However, the extent to which these disorders create a communicative barrier is closely related to staff's communicative approach. While staff holding a collaborative and acknowledging approach and using supportive strategies may facilitate successful communicative interactions, staff using the opposite approach may exacerbate communication barriers.

The pervasive and unyielding impacts of cognitive-communication changes following traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

Cognitive-communication disorders (CCDs) are common in the traumatic brain injury (TBI) population. Despite this, there has been limited research that explores the long-term impacts of reduced cognitive-communication functioning on daily life for this population.

AIMS

To identify the long-term impacts of cognitive-communication impairment as reported by adults with TBI and their significant others.

METHODS & PROCEDURES

A qualitative descriptive approach grounded in phenomenology was used. Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted with adults with CCDs following TBI (n = 16) and their significant others (n = 12) to explore their lived experiences.

OUTCOMES & RESULTS

Reflexive thematic analysis revealed an overarching theme of 'The pervasive and unyielding impacts of cognitive-communication changes on daily life following TBI'. Within this overarching theme, three subthemes were identified: (1) self-awareness of communication changes; (2) fatigue; and (3) self-identity and life roles.

CONCLUSION & IMPLICATIONS

The findings from this study highlight the long-term negative impacts of reduced cognitive-communication functioning on daily life. Health professionals supporting this population should consider ways to reduce the significant impact CCDs have on the lives of adults following TBI and their significant others. In addition, the findings highlight the importance of long-term rehabilitation services following TBI, with further research needed that explores how these services can be optimised.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on this subject Cognitive-communication disorders (CCDs) affect the majority of adults who experience moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and encompass any component of communication that is affected by cognition. The hallmark characteristic of CCDs are breakdowns that affect social communication skills as well as cognitive-linguistic deficits. Combined, these can have dramatic implications for a person's quality of life, their level of independence, employment opportunities and social participation. There has been limited research to date that explores the long-term impacts of CCDs on the lives of adults following TBI. Further research that explores these impacts is needed to improve the support services and rehabilitation models of care available for this population. What this study adds The overarching theme was 'The pervasive and unyielding impacts of communication changes on daily life following TBI' with subthemes including changed communication, self-awareness of communication changes, fatigue and self-identity and life roles. The findings from this study highlight the long-term negative impacts of reduced cognitive-communication functioning on everyday functioning and quality of life as well as the importance of long-term rehabilitation services following TBI. What are the clinical implications of this work? Speech-language therapists and other health professionals working with this clinical population should consider how to address the significant and long-lasting impacts of CCDs. Due to the complex nature of the barriers experienced by this clinical population, an interdisciplinary targeted approach is advised wherever possible when providing rehabilitation services.

Communication and Psychosocial Outcomes 2-Years After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Development of a Prognostic Model

OBJECTIVE

To examine predictive factors underlying communication and psychosocial outcomes at 2 years post-injury. Prognosis of communication and psychosocial outcomes after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is largely unknown yet is relevant for clinical service provision, resource allocation, and managing patient and family expectations for recovery.

DESIGN

A prospective longitudinal inception design was employed with assessments at 3 months, 6 months, and 2 years.

PARTICIPANTS

The cohort included 57 participants with severe TBI (N=57).

SETTING

Subacute and post-acute rehabilitation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Preinjury/injury measures included age, sex, education years, Glasgow Coma Scale, and PTA. The 3-month and 6-month data points included speech, language, and communication measures across the ICF domains and measures of cognition. The 2-year outcome measures included conversation, perceived communication skills, and psychosocial functioning. Predictors were examined using multiple regression.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

RESULTS

The cognitive and communication measures at 6 months significantly predicted conversation measures at 2 years and psychosocial functioning as reported by others at 2 years. At 6 months, 69% of participants presented with a cognitive-communication disorder (Functional Assessment of Verbal Reasoning and Executive Strategies [FAVRES]). The unique variance accounted for by the FAVRES measure was 7% for conversation measures and 9% for psychosocial functioning. Psychosocial functioning at 2 years was also predicted by pre-injury/injury factors and 3-month communication measures. Pre-injury education level was a unique predictor, accounting for 17% of the variance, and processing speed/memory at 3 months uniquely accounted for 14% of the variance.

CONCLUSION

Cognitive-communication skills at 6 months are a potent predictor of persisting communication challenges and poor psychosocial outcomes up to 2 years after a severe TBI. Findings emphasize the importance of addressing modifiable cognitive and communication outcomes variables during the first 2 years after severe TBI to maximize functional patient outcomes.

Digital Health Implementation Strategies Coproduced With Adults With Acquired Brain Injury, Their Close Others, and Clinicians: Mixed Methods Study With Collaborative Autoethnography and Network Analysis

BACKGROUND

Acquired brain injuries (ABIs), such as stroke and traumatic brain injury, commonly cause cognitive-communication disorders, in which underlying cognitive difficulties also impair communication. As communication is an exchange with others, close others such as family and friends also experience the impact of cognitive-communication impairment. It is therefore an internationally recommended best practice for speech-language pathologists to provide communication support to both people with ABI and the people who communicate with them. Current research also identifies a need for neurorehabilitation professionals to support digital communication, such as social media use, after ABI. However, with >135 million people worldwide affected by ABI, alternate and supplementary service delivery models are needed to meet these communication needs. The "Social Brain Toolkit" is a novel suite of 3 interventions to deliver communication rehabilitation via the internet. However, digital health implementation is complex, and minimal guidance exists for ABI.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to support the implementation of the Social Brain Toolkit by coproducing implementation knowledge with people with ABI, people who communicate with people with ABI, clinicians, and leaders in digital health implementation.

METHODS

A maximum variation sample (N=35) of individuals with living experience of ABI, close others, clinicians, and digital health implementation leaders participated in an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. Stakeholders quantitatively prioritized 4 of the 7 theoretical domains of the Nonadoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) framework as being the most important for Social Brain Toolkit implementation. Qualitative interview and focus group data collection focused on these 4 domains. Data were deductively analyzed against the NASSS framework with stakeholder coauthors to determine implementation considerations and strategies. A collaborative autoethnography of the research was conducted. Interrelationships between considerations and strategies were identified through a post hoc network analysis.

RESULTS

Across the 4 prioritized domains of "condition," "technology," "value proposition," and "adopters," 48 digital health implementation considerations and 52 tailored developer and clinician implementation strategies were generated. Benefits and challenges of coproduction were identified. The post hoc network analysis revealed 172 unique relationships between the identified implementation considerations and strategies, with user and persona testing and responsive design identified as the potentially most impactful strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

People with ABI, close others, clinicians, and digital health leaders coproduced new knowledge of digital health implementation considerations for adults with ABI and the people who communicate with them, as well as tailored implementation strategies. Complexity-informed network analyses offered a data-driven method to identify the 2 most potentially impactful strategies. Although the study was limited by a focus on 4 NASSS domains and the underrepresentation of certain demographics, the wealth of actionable implementation knowledge produced supports future coproduction of implementation research with mutually beneficial outcomes for stakeholders and researchers.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/35080.

Speech pathologists' perspectives on the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices with people with acquired brain injury and reflections from lived experience

BACKGROUND

Communication changes following acquired brain injury (ABI) may necessitate use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Speech pathologists regularly assist people with ABI and their families with AAC assessment and recommendations, as well as education and training on AAC use. To date, there has been no Australian research investigating the perspectives of speech pathologists working in the field of ABI and AAC. This research aimed to 1) Explore speech pathologists' insights regarding enablers and barriers to considerations and uptake, and ongoing use, of AAC by people with ABI and 2) Understand their perspectives on AAC acceptance, abandonment and rejection.

METHOD

A qualitative research design, with semi-structured interviews, was used with seven speech pathologists working across three Australian states. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed. To triangulate results, the lived experience reflections of one co-author, who has an ABI and uses AAC, were drawn on.

RESULTS

Seven themes were identified, relating to four of the five domains of the World Health Organization's assistive technology model. These included that AAC should be person-centred, with consideration of both products and personnel required, and with effective policy aiding AAC trial, uptake and use.

CONCLUSION

This research has highlighted considerations for AAC use by people with ABI, from the perspective of speech pathologists and aided by lived experience reflections. Speech pathologists need to understand the breadth of products, and good practice service steps, to ensure successful AAC use and skill development. Listening to the perspectives of people with ABI is central to that understanding.

Equity considerations in clinical practice guidelines for traumatic brain injury and homelessness: a systematic review

Background

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) predominantly prioritise treatment and cost-effectiveness, which encourages a universal approach that may not address the circumstances of disadvantaged groups. We aimed to advance equity and quality of care for individuals experiencing homelessness and traumatic brain injury (TBI) by assessing the extent to which homelessness and TBI are integrated in CPGs for TBI and CPGs for homelessness, respectively, and the extent to which equity, including consideration of disadvantaged populations and the PROGRESS-Plus framework, is considered in these CPGs.

Methods

For this systematic review, CPGs for TBI or homelessness were identified from electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO), targeted websites, Google Search, and reference lists of eligible CPGs on November 16, 2021 and March 16, 2023. The proportion of CPGs that integrated evidence regarding TBI and homelessness was identified and qualitative content analysis was conducted to understand how homelessness is integrated in CPGs for TBI and vice versa. Equity assessment tools were utilised to understand the extent to which equity was considered in these CPGs. This review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021287696).

Findings

Fifty-eight CPGs for TBI and two CPGs for homelessness met inclusion criteria. Only three CPGs for TBI integrated evidence regarding homelessness by recognizing the prevalence of TBI in individuals experiencing homelessness and identifying housing as a consideration in the assessment and management of TBI. The two CPGs for homelessness acknowledged TBI as prevalent and recognised individuals experiencing TBI and homelessness as a disadvantaged population that should be prioritised in guideline development. Equity was rarely considered in the content and development of CPGs for TBI.

Interpretation

Considerations for equity in CPGs for homelessness and TBI are lacking. To ensure that CPGs reflect and address the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI, we have identified several guideline development priorities. Namely, there is a need to integrate evidence regarding homelessness and TBI in CPGs for TBI and CPGs for homelessness, respectively and engage disadvantaged populations in all stages of guideline development. Further, this review highlights an urgent need to conduct research focused on and with disadvantaged populations.

Funding

Canada Research Chairs Program (2019-00019) and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (Grant #725A).

Facial affect recognition in context in adults with and without TBI

Introduction

Several studies have reported impaired emotion recognition in adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI), but studies have two major design features that limit application of results to real-world contexts: (1) participants choose from among lists of basic emotions, rather than generating emotion labels, and (2) images are typically presented in isolation rather than in context. To address these limitations, we created an open-labeling task with faces shown alone or in real-life scenes, to more closely approximate how adults with TBI label facial emotions beyond the lab.

Methods

Participants were 55 adults (29 female) with moderate to severe TBI and 55 uninjured comparison peers, individually matched for race, sex, and age. Participants viewed 60 photographs of faces, either alone or in the pictured person's real-life context, and were asked what that person was feeling. We calculated the percent of responses that were standard forced-choice-task options, and also used sentiment intensity analysis to compare verbal responses between the two groups. We tracked eye movements for a subset of participants, to explore whether gaze duration or number of fixations helped explain any group differences in labels.

Results

Over 50% of responses in both groups were words other than basic emotions on standard affect tasks, highlighting the importance of eliciting open-ended responses. Valence of labels by participants with TBI was attenuated relative to valence of Comparison group labels, i.e., TBI group responses were less positive to positive images and the same was true for negative images, although the TBI group responses had higher lexical diversity. There were no significant differences in gaze duration or number of fixations between groups.

Discussion

Results revealed qualitative differences in affect labels between adults with and without TBI that would not have emerged on standard forced-choice tasks. Verbal differences did not appear to be attributable to differences in gaze patterns, leaving open the question of mechanisms of atypical affect processing in adults with TBI.

INCOG 2.0 Guidelines for Cognitive Rehabilitation Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Part II: Attention and Information Processing Speed

INTRODUCTION

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (MS-TBI) commonly causes disruption in aspects of attention due to its diffuse nature and injury to frontotemporal and midbrain reticular activating systems. Attentional impairments are a common focus of cognitive rehabilitation, and increased awareness of evidence is needed to facilitate informed clinical practice.

METHODS

An expert panel of clinicians/researchers (known as INCOG) reviewed evidence published from 2014 and developed updated guidelines for the management of attention in adults, as well as a decision-making algorithm, and an audit tool for review of clinical practice.

RESULTS

This update incorporated 27 studies and made 11 recommendations. Two new recommendations regarding transcranial stimulation and an herbal supplement were made. Five were updated from INCOG 2014 and 4 were unchanged. The team recommends screening for and addressing factors contributing to attentional problems, including hearing, vision, fatigue, sleep-wake disturbance, anxiety, depression, pain, substance use, and medication. Metacognitive strategy training focused on everyday activities is recommended for individuals with mild-moderate attentional impairments. Practice on de-contextualized computer-based attentional tasks is not recommended because of lack of evidence of generalization, but direct training on everyday tasks, including dual tasks or dealing with background noise, may lead to gains for performance of those tasks. Potential usefulness of environmental modifications is also discussed. There is insufficient evidence to support mindfulness-based meditation, periodic alerting, or noninvasive brain stimulation for alleviating attentional impairments. Of pharmacological interventions, methylphenidate is recommended to improve information processing speed. Amantadine may facilitate arousal in comatose or vegetative patients but does not enhance performance on attentional measures over the longer term. The antioxidant Chinese herbal supplement MLC901 (NeuroAiD IITM) may enhance selective attention in individuals with mild-moderate TBI.

CONCLUSION

Evidence for interventions to improve attention after TBI is slowly growing. However, more controlled trials are needed, especially evaluating behavioral or nonpharmacological interventions for attention.

INCOG 2.0 Guidelines for Cognitive Rehabilitation Following Traumatic Brain Injury: Methods, Overview, and Principles

INTRODUCTION

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in complex cognitive sequelae. Despite hundreds of clinical trials in cognitive rehabilitation, the translation of these findings into clinical practice remains a challenge. Clinical practice guidelines are one solution. The objective of this initiative was to reconvene the international group of cognitive researchers and clinicians (known as INCOG) to develop INCOG 2.0: Guidelines for Cognitive Rehabilitation Following TBI.

METHODS

The guidelines adaptation and development cycle was used to update the recommendations and derive new ones. The team met virtually and reviewed the literature published since the original INCOG (2014) to update the recommendations and decision algorithms. The team then prioritized the recommendations for implementation and modified the audit tool accordingly to allow for the evaluation of adherence to best practices.

RESULTS

In total, the INCOG update contains 80 recommendations (25 level A, 15 level B, and 40 level C) of which 27 are new. Recommendations developed for posttraumatic amnesia, attention, memory, executive function and cognitive-communication are outlined in other articles, whereas this article focuses on the overarching principles of care for which there are 38 recommendations pertaining to: assessment (10 recommendations), principles of cognitive rehabilitation (6 recommendations), medications to enhance cognition (10 recommendations), teleassessment (5 recommendations), and telerehabilitation intervention (7 recommendations). One recommendation was supported by level A evidence, 7 by level B evidence, and all remaining recommendations were level C evidence. New to INCOG are recommendations for telehealth-delivered cognitive assessment and rehabilitation. Evidence-based clinical algorithms and audit tools for evaluating the state of current practice are also provided.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation guided by these recommendations should be offered to individuals with TBI. Despite the advancements in TBI rehabilitation research, further high-quality studies are needed to better understand the role of cognitive rehabilitation in improving patient outcomes after TBI.