A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study of a Manualized Intervention for Caregivers of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury in Inpatient Rehabilitation

Publication date: Available online 31 July 2018

Source: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Author(s): Janet P. Niemeier, Jeffrey S. Kreutzer, Jennifer H. Marwitz, Adam P. Sima

Abstract

Objective

Investigate effectiveness of a 5-session manualized intervention for addressing needs of caregivers of persons in acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation.

Design

Prospective, pilot randomized controlled trial

Setting

Inpatient brain injury rehabilitation unit, level 1 trauma center

Participants

N = 93 patients with moderate to severe TBI and their family members were enrolled in the study with 42 randomized to the treatment group, 51 to the control group.

Intervention

Five-session, manualized caregiver intervention with educational, stress and anxiety self-management, coping, and emotional support components.

Main Outcome Measures

Family Needs Questionnaire-R (FNQ-R), Knowledge Assessment, Zarit Family Burden Scale, and Brief Symptom Inventory-18 were collected at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up.

Results

Treatment group caregivers showed an increase in met needs for Emotional, Instrumental and Professional Support, and brain injury knowledge from baseline to post-treatment whereas controls did not. Between group differences were significant for only Emotional Support needs. Treatment effects were not sustained at 3-month follow-up.

Conclusions

Caregivers of persons undergoing acute TBI rehabilitation may benefit from interventions that target their unique needs. Caregivers may require additional and longer-term supports to sustain treatment benefits.

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