Increased self-efficacy after brain injury group intervention
by Andy Champion
Poster Download
Purpose
To evaluate the impact on self-efficacy (and hence self-management of long-term condition) of a six-session education/rehabilitation group intervention for people with acquired brain injury.
Problem
Self-management of symptoms is a key component in long-term conditions, including brain injury. Self-efficacy ( an individual's sense of their ability to deal with their condition) is strongly linked in the literature with effective self-management, so an intervention that can increase self-efficacy will be linked with a range of improved outcomes. Establishing the impact on self-efficacy of a brain injury group intervention currently run by the Gloucestershire Brain Injury team will help inform the continued provision of this group.
Methods
A self-efficacy questionnaire was administered before and after the intervention. The group ran over six weekly sessions and was facilitated by a Clinical Psychologist and an Occupational Therapist, and covered information and management strategies about the common consequences of brain injury.
Results
Based on 96 completed before-and-after questionnaires, there was a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy after the intervention. In addition, there were statistically significant increases in strategy use, e.g. relating to fatigue management and concentration difficulties. There was very high patient satisfaction with group attendance (100%).
Conclusion
Attendance at a six-session group intervention relating to the management of the consequences of brain injury is associated with increased self-efficacy, with positive implications for ongoing implementation of self-management strategies.