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The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the online, self-guided, interactive Traumatic Brain Injury Family Support Program (TBIFS) with caregivers of law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and veterans (SOPs, service oriented professionals) with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants (n = 38) were caregivers of SOPs with TBI in the United States. The participants completed an online pretest (T1) and a posttest immediately upon completion of the online TBIFS program (T2). The study used a within-subjects, nonexperimental evaluation. The main measures were: (1) knowledge of basic TBI facts; (2) self-efficacy, measured by the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and (3) hope, measured by the Herth Hope Index. Participants demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge (n = 38, p =.001, d = 1.20) and self-efficacy (n = 37, p =.006, d = 0.48) and a non-significant gain in hope (n = 38, p =.054, d = 0.32). Improvements in participant knowledge about TBI and confidence (i.e., self-efficacy) about dealing with issues related to caregiving were associated with their use of the TBIFS program. Future research should include a controlled experimental investigation with caregivers from more diverse backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: Cognitive impairments following brain injury, including difficulty with problem solving, can pose significant barriers to successful community reintegration. Problem-solving strategy training is well-supported in the cognitive rehabilitation literature. However, limitations in insurance reimbursement have resulted in fewer services to train such skills to mastery and to support generalization of those skills into everyday environments. The purpose of this project was to develop and evaluate an integrated, web-based programme, ProSolv, which uses a small number of coaching sessions to support problem solving in everyday life following brain injury. Method: We used participatory action research to guide the iterative development, usability testing, and within-subject pilot testing of the ProSolv programme. The finalized programme was then evaluated in a between-subjects group study and a non-experimental single case study. Results: Results were mixed across studies. Participants demonstrated that it was feasible to learn and use the ProSolv programme for support in problem solving. They highly recommended the programme to others and singled out the importance of the coach. Limitations in app design were cited as a major reason for infrequent use of the app outside of coaching sessions. Conclusions: Results provide mixed evidence regarding the utility of web-based mobile apps, such as ProSolv to support problem solving following brain injury. Implications for Rehabilitation: People with cognitive impairments following brain injury often struggle with problem solving in everyday contexts. Research supports problem solving skills training following brain injury. Assistive technology for cognition (smartphones, selected apps) offers a means of supporting problem solving for this population. This project demonstrated the feasibility of a web-based programme to address this need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research shows that if clinicians are to deliver effective, evidence-based assistive technology for cognition (ATC) services to clients with acquired brain injury (ABI), they first need opportunities to gain knowledge and experience with ATC assessment and training practices (O'Neil-Pirozzi, Kendrick, Goldstein, & Glenn, 2004). This article describes three examples of train the trainer materials and programs to address this need: (a) a toolkit for trainers to learn more about assessing and training ATC; (b) a comprehensive, trans-disciplinary program for training staff to provide ATC services in a metropolitan area; and (c) an overview of an on-site/online training package for rehabilitation professionals working with individuals with ABI in remote locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]