The Evidence Base of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation in Acquired Brain Impairment (ABI): How Good is the Research?

The behavioural treatment of muscle tension voice disorders: A systematic review

PURPOSE

A systematic review of behavioural intervention for the treatment of adults with muscle tension voice disorders (MTVD).

METHOD

A search of 12 electronic databases and reference lists for studies published between the years 1990-2014 was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion and exclusion criteria included type of publication, participant characteristics, intervention, outcome measures and report of outcomes. Methodological quality rating scales and confidence in diagnostic scale supported the literature evaluation.

RESULT

Seven papers met the inclusion criteria. Significant improvement on at least one outcome measure was reported for all studies. Effect sizes were small-to-large. Methodological qualities of research were varied. No study explicitly reported treatment fidelity and cumulative intervention intensity could only be calculated for two out of seven studies. Outcome measures were used inconsistently and less than half of the measures had reported reliability values. Confidence in the accuracy of subject diagnosis on average was rated as low. Specific "active ingredients" for therapeutic change were not identified.

CONCLUSION

Voice therapy for the treatment of MTVD is associated with positive treatment outcomes; however, there is an obvious need for systematic and high quality research designs to expand the evidence base for the behavioural treatment of MTVD.

Assessment and Treatment of Cognition and Communication Skills in Adults With Acquired Brain Injury via Telepractice: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

This is a systematic review of assessment and treatment of cognitive and communicative abilities of individuals with acquired brain injury via telepractice versus in person. The a priori clinical questions were informed by previous research that highlights the importance of considering any functional implications of outcomes, determining disorder- and setting-specific concerns, and measuring the potential impact of diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy data on interpretation of findings.

METHOD

A literature search of multiple databases (e.g., PubMed) was conducted using key words and study inclusion criteria associated with the clinical questions.

RESULTS

Ten group studies were accepted that addressed assessment of motor speech, language, and cognitive impairments; assessment of motor speech and language activity limitations/participation restrictions; and treatment of cognitive impairments and activity limitations/participation restrictions. In most cases, equivalence of outcomes was noted across service delivery methods.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited findings, lack of diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy data, and heterogeneity of assessments and interventions precluded robust evaluation of clinical implications for telepractice equivalence and the broader area of telepractice efficacy. Future research is needed that will build upon current knowledge through replication. In addition, further evaluation at the impairment and activity limitation/participation restriction levels is needed.

Efficacy of electronic portable assistive devices for people with acquired brain injury: a systematic review

A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of electronic portable assistive devices (EPADs) for people with acquired brain injury. A systematic database search (OVID, CINAHL) found 541 citations published between 1989 and the end of 2012. A total of 23 reports met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, namely intervention studies (group, n-of-1) testing the efficacy of EPADs as compensatory devices for cognitive impairment for people with acquired brain injury aged 16-65 years. Study quality was rated by the PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) scale, (randomised controlled trials), the Downes and Black tool (other group intervention studies), and the Single Case Experimental Design tool (single participant studies). Levels of evidence were determined using five levels of classification based on the Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Evidence table. Results found no Level 1 studies (RCTs with PEDro score ≥ 6), four Level 2 studies and 10 Level 3 studies. There was insufficient evidence to recommend any practice standards, but sufficient evidence to recommend the use of electronic reminder systems in supporting the everyday functioning of people with acquired brain injury as a practice guideline. Higher quality studies are required to support a broader range of compensatory roles that EPADs have the potential to play in neurorehabilitation and the long-term support of people with acquired brain injury.

A systematic review of treatment outcomes for children with childhood apraxia of speech

PURPOSE

To present a systematic review of single-case experimental treatment studies for childhood apraxia of speech (CAS).

METHOD

A search of 9 databases was used to find peer-reviewed treatment articles from 1970 to 2012 of all levels of evidence with published communication outcomes for children with CAS. Improvement rate differences (IRDs) were calculated for articles with replicated (n > 1), statistically compared treatment and generalization evidence.

RESULTS

Forty-two articles representing Phase I and II single-case experimental designs (SCEDs; n = 23) or case series or description studies ( n = 19) were analyzed. Six articles showed high CAS diagnosis confidence. Of the 13 approaches within the 23 SCED articles, treatments were primarily for speech motor skills ( n = 6), linguistic skills ( n = 5), or augmentative and alternative communication ( n = 2). Most participants responded positively to treatment, but only 7 of 13 approaches in SCED studies reported maintenance and/or generalization of treatment effects. Three approaches had preponderant evidence (Smith, 1981). IRD effect sizes were calculated for Integral Stimulation/Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing, Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment, and Integrated Phonological Awareness Intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

At least 3 treatments have sufficient evidence for Phase III trials and interim clinical practice. In the future, efficacy needs to be established via maintenance and generalization measures.

Systematic review of communication partner training in aphasia: methodological quality

Twenty-three studies identified from a previous systematic review examining the effects of communication partner training on persons with aphasia and their communication partners were evaluated for methodological quality. Two reviewers rated the studies on defined methodological quality criteria relevant to each study design. There were 11 group studies, seven single-subject participant design studies, and five qualitative studies. Quality scores were derived for each study. The mean inter-rater reliability of scores for each study design ranged from 85-93%, with Cohen's Kappa indicating substantial agreement between raters. Methodological quality of research on communication partner training in aphasia was highly varied. Overall, group studies employed the least rigorous methodology as compared to single subject and qualitative research. Only two of 11 group studies complied with more than half of the quality criteria. No group studies reported therapist blinding and only one group study reported participant blinding. Across all types of studies, the criterion of treatment fidelity was most commonly omitted. Failure to explicitly report certain methodological quality criteria may account for low ratings. Using methodological rating scales specific to the type of study design may help improve the methodological quality of aphasia treatment studies, including those on communication partner training.

Moving Ahead: A New Centre of Research Excellence in Brain Recovery, Focusing on Psychosocial Reintegration Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most common cause of brain injury in the Western world and leads to physical, cognitive and emotional deficits that reduce independence. Changes to psychosocial function are the most disruptive, resulting in vocational difficulties, family stress and deteriorating relationships, and are a major target for remediation. But rehabilitation is expensive and its evidence base is limited. Thus, new collaborative initiatives are needed. This article details the development of ‘Moving Ahead’, a model for a Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) for Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation. This CRE offers several major innovations. First, it provides an integrated, multi-faceted approach to addressing psychosocial difficulties embracing different clinical standpoints (e.g., psychological, speech pathology, occupational therapy) and levels of investigation (e.g., basic science to community function) across the lifespan. It is based upon a close relationship with clinicians to ensure transfer of research to practice and, conversely, to ensure that research is clinically meaningful. It provides an integrated platform with which to support and train new researchers in the field via scholarships, postdoctoral fellowships, websites, meetings, mentoring and across-site training, and thus build workforce capacity for individuals with TBI and their families. It has input from the international community to contextualise research more broadly and ensure scientific rigour. Finally, it provides collaboration across sites to facilitate research and data collection.

Is it time to act? The potential of acceptance and commitment therapy for psychological problems following acquired brain injury

Behaviour therapies have a well-established, useful tradition in psychological treatments and have undergone several major revisions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based approaches are considered a third wave of behavioural therapies. Emerging evidence for ACT has demonstrated that this paradigm has promising effectiveness in improving functionality and well-being in a variety of populations that have psychological disturbances and/or medical problems. In this review we first evaluate traditional cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions used to manage psychological problems in distressed individuals who have sustained an acquired brain injury (ABI). We provide an overview of the ACT paradigm and the existent evidence base for this intervention. A rationale is outlined for why ACT-based interventions may have potential utility in assisting distressed individuals who have sustained a mild to moderate ABI to move forward with their lives. We also review emerging evidence that lends preliminary support to the implementation of acceptance and mindfulness-based interventions in the rehabilitation of ABI patient groups. On the basis of existent literature, we recommend that it is an opportune time for forthcoming research to rigorously test the efficacy of ACT-based interventions in facilitating ABI patient groups to re-engage in living a valued and meaningful life, in spite of their neurocognitive and physical limitations. The promising utility of testing the efficacy of the ACT paradigm in the context of multimodal rehabilitation programmes for ABI populations is also addressed.

Single-subject designs as a tool for evidence-based clinical practice: Are they unrecognised and undervalued?

One could be forgiven for thinking that the only road to evidence-based clinical practice is the application of results from randomised controlled trials (or systematic reviews of such). By contrast, single-subject designs in the context of evidence-based clinical practice are believed by many to be strange bedfellows. In this paper, we argue that single-subject designs play an important role in evidence-based clinical practice. We survey the contents of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation in relation to single-subject designs and tackle the main criticisms that have been levelled against them. We offer practical guidance for rating the methodological quality of single-subject designs and applying statistical techniques to measure treatment efficacy. These guides are equally applicable to research studies and everyday clinical practice with individual patients.

Behavioural interventions for children and adults with behaviour disorders after TBI: A systematic review of the evidence

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the evidence for the effectiveness of behavioural interventions for children and adults with behaviour disorders after TBI.

DESIGN

Using a variety of search procedures, 65 studies were identified. This literature was reviewed using a set of questions about participants, interventions, outcomes and research methods.

PARTICIPANTS

The 65 studies included 172 experimental participants, including children and adults.

INTERVENTIONS

A number of specific intervention procedures were used, falling into three general categories: traditional contingency management, positive behaviour interventions and supports and combined.

RESULTS

All of the studies reported improvements in behavioural functioning.

CONCLUSIONS

Behavioural intervention, not otherwise specified, can be considered a treatment guideline for children and adults with behaviour disorders after TBI. Both traditional contingency management procedures and positive behaviour support procedures can be said to be evidence-based treatment options. However, a variety of methodological concerns block stronger conclusions.

Interventions for apathy after traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

Apathy is a deficiency in overt behavioural, emotional and cognitive components of goal-directed behaviour. It is a common occurrence after traumatic brain injury (TBI), with widespread impact. We have systematically reviewed studies examining the effectiveness of interventions for apathy in the TBI population.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effectiveness of interventions for apathy in adults who have sustained a TBI. This was evaluated by changes in behavioural, cognitive and emotional measures of apathy.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the following databases up to January 2008: CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 1), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, ACP Journal Club, MEDLINE (1950 to Jan 2008), EMBASE (1980 to Jan 2008), PsycINFO (1806 to Jan 2008), CINAHL (1982 Jan 2008), PsycBITE, AMED (1985 to Jan 2008), www.controlled-trials.com, www.clinicaltrials.gov and www.actr.org.au.The Cochrane Injuries Group's Specialised Register was searched to Jan 2009. Additionally, we examined key conference proceedings and reference lists of included trials to identify further studies meeting the inclusion criteria.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions specifically targeting apathy for people with TBI.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors (ALB and RLT) independently assessed studies for inclusion. We rated the methodological quality of included studies and extracted data.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified one trial that satisfied the inclusion criteria for this review. This trial (N = 21) showed that cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) decreased inertia, which is a component of apathy, while no changes were seen in the sham treatment or no treatment control groups. Given that no between-group analysis was reported, it was not possible to determine if the CES treatment group improved significantly more than the control group.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

No evidence was provided to support the use of CES treatment for inertia, a component of apathy. Between-group statistical analyses were not conducted and it was therefore not possible to determine the efficacy of the treatment relative to no treatment or sham treatment. Results regarding the effectiveness of treatment can only be inferred, and this evidence is based on only one trial with a small sample size. More randomised controlled trials evaluating different ways of treating apathy would be valuable. Trials should have larger sample sizes and use rigorous research designs and statistical analyses appropriate for examining between-group differences.

An Evaluation of a Fatigue Management Intervention for People with Acquired Brain Injury: An Exploratory Study

Fatigue is one of the most prevalent symptoms reported after an acquired brain injury, reflecting a probable combination of factors: pathology, medication side effects, mood or sleep disorders, reduced exercise tolerance, decreased nutrition and hydration. Despite its prevalence and the profoundly negative effects that fatigue has on quality of life, there is little evidence regarding the effectiveness of fatigue management interventions.

This exploratory study investigated whether a weekly fatigue education group, lasting for 8 weeks, had an effect on reported fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleepiness and quality of life. Pre-intervention and post-intervention measures were taken using three standardised scales, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Short Form–36 quality of life measure, together with the unpublished Brain Injury Fatigue Scale. A 10-point rating scale was also used to assess fatigue on a weekly basis. In addition, the participants completed written qualitative self-reports concerning the impact of fatigue on daily life, their perceptions of fatigue and their fatigue management strategies.

Seven people joined the programme. There was a significant change in the quality of life measure from pre-intervention to post-intervention, but not in the other measures. In written qualitative accounts, the participants reported managing their fatigue better and finding group support helpful. The results suggest a need for further research into the fatigue management for people with acquired brain injury.