Remediation of social communication impairments following traumatic brain injury using metacognitive strategy intervention: a pilot study

摘要

Objective: To perform a pilot study to evaluate whether a novel metacognitive, goal-based Intervention Improved and maintained the social communication skills of adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI).& para;& para;Method: Eight community-dwelling participants with TBI completed three study phases: (1) baseline, (2) eight-week intervention targeting social communication Impairments and (3) follow-up. Participants completed the Profile of Pragmatic Impairment in Communication (PPIC), LaTrobe Communication Questionnaire (LCQ) and Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) at the commencement of baseline phase, pre- and post-intervention and completion of the follow-up phase. During the Intervention programme phase, participants attended two 1-hour therapy sessions (one individual; one group) per week focusing on remediating impaired social communication skills using metacognitive strategy Intervention and goal-based therapy.& para;& para;Results: Variable changes In PPIC feature-summary scores were observed post-intervention. A non-significant improvement in LCQ scores was also observed. There was a significant increase in GAS goal T-scores following the intervention, with six of the eight participants achieving or exceeding their expected level of performance on all goals.& para;& para;Conclusion: A goal-driven, metacognitive approach to intervention may assist individuals with TBI to achieve their personal social communication goals, with benefits reported by participants and observable during conversations. Further research Is required.