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Increasing Leisure Activity Following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Does It Make a Difference?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Jacinta M. Douglas*
Affiliation:
La Trobe University, Australia. J.Douglas@latrobe.edu.au
Maree Dyson
Affiliation:
Transport Accident Commission, Victoria, Australia.
Peter Foreman
Affiliation:
La Trobe University, Australia.
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr Jacinta Douglas, School of Human Communication Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora VIC 3086, Australia.
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Abstract

The majority of people with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience long-term disability and are unable to return to their usual activities. Services that offer community social and leisure participation programs are likely to reduce the social burden associated with severe TBI. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the personal effects of becoming engaged in community leisure activities. It was hypothesised that adults with severe TBI who participated regularly in leisure activities over a 6-month period would show measurable positive change in the domains of community integration, social support, mental health and quality of life (QOL). Participants numbered 25 adults (mean age 36.95 years) who had been referred to community leisure programs participated in the study. All participants had sustained severe injuries (post-traumatic amnesia > 1 month). A repeated measures design over 6 months was used. Assessment involved a semistructured interview, global subjective QOL rating and administration of standardised measures: SF-12v2, Neurobehavioral Functioning Inventory, Instrumental-Expressive Social Support-Scale, and Community Integration Questionnaire. Adults who participated regularly over 6 months reported positive and statistically significant changes in social integration and mental health. These findings support the use of assisted community participation programs for adults with severe TBI.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

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