To investigate the effectiveness of a peer-led social skills training intervention compared to social activity (usual care) to improve social communication skills following severe brain injury.
A pilot study first tested the feasibility of the approach and the sensitivity of existing outcome measures to changes in group social interaction. Following amendments to the pilot protocol, twelve new participants with severe ABI were recruited from a residential post-acute rehabilitation centre in April 2015. An experimental parallel group design was used to compare a peer-led group intervention to a staff-led social activity group. Participants were randomised to a peer-led intervention (n=6) or a staff-led social activity group (usual care) (n=6). The groups met twice a week for 8 weeks. A peer with severe ABI was trained separately to facilitate interaction in the peer-led group. The training took place in 16 individual sessions over 4 weeks. Group behaviour was measured twice at baseline, after intervention and at maintenance (4 weeks) using measures meeting reliability, validity and responsiveness criteria tested in the pilot study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
12
Peer facilitation of a project-based activity without staff present
Staff-led social activity
The Adapted Measure of Participation in Conversation (MPC): Interaction Scale
This 9 point Likert scale is a measure of verbal and non-verbal participation in conversation. Scores range from 0 (no participation) to 4 (full participation) with half point scoring.
Time frame: Baseline to maintenance (week 12)
The Adapted Measure of Participation in Conversation (MPC): Transaction Scale
This 9 point Likert scale is a measure of the ability to share and request information in conversation. Scores range from 0 (no participation) to 4 (full participation) with half point scoring.
Time frame: Baseline to maintenance (week 12)
The Interactional Network Tool (INT)
A new measure of group social participation developed for this study. The INT captures group interaction patterns using communication behaviour frequencies and principles of social network analysis. The data is relational and follows a scale-free distribution.
Time frame: Baseline to maintenance (week 12)
La Trobe Communication Questionnaire (LCQ) (self-report)
A 30 item self-report questionnaire measuring perceived change in social communication skills. Response options are entered on a four point Likert scale (range: 30-120 with a higher score indicating more impaired skills).
Time frame: Baseline to maintenance (week 12)
La Trobe Communication Questionnaire (LCQ) (other-report)
A 30 item questionnaire measuring perceived change in social communication skills, rated by a familiar communication partner. Response options are entered on a four point Likert scale (range: 30-120 with a higher score indicating more impaired skills).
Time frame: Baseline to maintenance (week 12)
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