Cognitive and emotional consequences of TBI: Intervention strategies for vocational rehabilitation | Knowledge Translation for Employment Research Center

Authors:	McDonnall, M. C., & Cmar, J.
Year Published	2006
Publication	NeuroRehabilitation
Volume	21
Number	4
Pages	315-326
Publisher	IOS Press
Background	Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) negatively impacts successful return to work for many individuals. Training individuals to use effective interventions to compensate for common deficits like attention, memory and executive functioning post injury should improve return to work outcomes.
Purpose	The purpose of this study was to describe examples of effective cognitive rehabilitation strategies through the use of 3 case studies and a review of literature. Professionals in the field need this type of information to better serve individuals with TBI who are returning to work.
Setting
Sample	The study sample included three people with TBI.
Data Collection	Various scales were used to measure improvements specifically related to the cognitive ability that was being treated (i.e.. attention deficits, memory problems, executive deficits) in each of the 3 case studies.
Control
Findings	There are numerous strategies that can be taught to individuals after TBI to help them compensate for common cognitive deficits (ie. attention, memory, executive functioning). Therapists must understand the possibilities and be able to implement specific interventions for each person and be able to use effective teaching strategies to train the individual. It is also important to be aware of ways to support a person who is particularly "challenging" by becoming aware of ways to improve social behaviors and self awareness.
Conclusions	Intervention strategies must be individualized. Other considerations include considering the nature and degree of the disability and environmental context. Therapist must be able to think outside the box and use creative problem solving to assist individuals with TBI with using strategies to improve employment outcomes.
URL	http://content.iospress.com/articles/neurorehabilitation/nre00329
Disabilities	Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Populations	Male & Female
Outcomes	Return to work
NIDILRR Funded	Not Reported
Research Design	Case reports
Peer Reviewed	Yes

Year Published

2006

Publication

NeuroRehabilitation

Volume

21

Number

4

Pages

315-326

Publisher

IOS Press

Background

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) negatively impacts successful return to work for many individuals. Training individuals to use effective interventions to compensate for common deficits like attention, memory and executive functioning post injury should improve return to work outcomes.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe examples of effective cognitive rehabilitation strategies through the use of 3 case studies and a review of literature. Professionals in the field need this type of information to better serve individuals with TBI who are returning to work.

Setting

Sample

The study sample included three people with TBI.

Data Collection

Various scales were used to measure improvements specifically related to the cognitive ability that was being treated (i.e.. attention deficits, memory problems, executive deficits) in each of the 3 case studies.

Control

Findings

There are numerous strategies that can be taught to individuals after TBI to help them compensate for common cognitive deficits (ie. attention, memory, executive functioning). Therapists must understand the possibilities and be able to implement specific interventions for each person and be able to use effective teaching strategies to train the individual. It is also important to be aware of ways to support a person who is particularly "challenging" by becoming aware of ways to improve social behaviors and self awareness.

Conclusions

Intervention strategies must be individualized. Other considerations include considering the nature and degree of the disability and environmental context. Therapist must be able to think outside the box and use creative problem solving to assist individuals with TBI with using strategies to improve employment outcomes.

URL

http://content.iospress.com/articles/neurorehabilitation/nre00329

Disabilities

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Populations

Male & Female

Outcomes

Return to work

NIDILRR Funded

Not Reported

Research Design

Case reports

Peer Reviewed

Yes