{"title":"Exploring the everyday impacts and memory intervention needs of people with transient epileptic amnesia: A qualitative study.","authors":"Sharon A Savage, Marina G Cavuoto, Kerryn E Pike","doi":"10.1080/09602011.2024.2384521","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09602011.2024.2384521","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>People with transient epileptic amnesia (TEA) experience deficits in memory, however, little is known about their everyday experience of this, and no memory intervention studies have been conducted within this group. Using a two-part qualitative method, this study explored the lived experience of people with TEA and possible avenues for memory intervention. Fourteen people with TEA participated in either a focus group (<i>n</i> = 7) or an online survey (<i>n</i> = 7) to answer questions regarding their memory difficulties, impact on their lives, and strategies to mitigate these problems. Perceived barriers and facilitators to participating in a group memory intervention program were discussed. Thematic content analysis identified key themes regarding impacts on the individual and their relationships. Although some positive outcomes regarding family support and personal acceptance were described, most participants described negative impacts on relationships and mood. A range of strategies to mitigate memory problems were reported, although some people did not use any. Participants identified practical and socio-emotional advantages to memory intervention, with perceived barriers around individual applicability, preferences, and ability to engage. While individual preferences need to be considered, a group-based memory intervention may help address cognitive and mental health concerns, particularly for those newly diagnosed with TEA.</p>","PeriodicalId":54729,"journal":{"name":"Neuropsychological Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":"1034-1058"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141918125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Edith Botchway-Commey, Nicholas P Ryan, Vicki Anderson, Cathy Catroppa
{"title":"Exploring emotional distress symptom clusters in young adults with childhood traumatic brain injury.","authors":"Edith Botchway-Commey, Nicholas P Ryan, Vicki Anderson, Cathy Catroppa","doi":"10.1080/09602011.2024.2375803","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09602011.2024.2375803","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Depression, anxiety, and stress are persistent and co-occurring symptoms in survivors of childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI), and often impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This paper explored emotional distress symptom clusters and associated factors in young adults with childhood TBI.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We included 54 young adults who sustained mild (<i>n</i> = 14), moderate (<i>n</i> = 27), and severe (<i>n</i> = 13) childhood TBI, at 20 years post-injury. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale was administered. Cluster group membership was identified using two-step clustering and hierarchical clustering methods, and associated factors were assessed with multiple regression models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Two symptom cluster groups were identified, including a <i>No Distress (n = </i>66%) and an <i>Elevated Distress (n = </i>33%) group<i>,</i> with the latter showing significantly higher symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (all <i>p</i> < .001). Elevated Distress group membership was linked to tobacco use and poor sleep quality, while poor HRQoL was associated with younger age at injury and Elevated Distress group membership.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Using cluster methodology, we showed that one-third of young adults with childhood TBI had elevated emotional distress symptoms. This underscores the complex emotional profile of this subgroup and the need for assessment, analysis, and treatment methods that target a range of symptoms rather than relying on single-diagnostic protocols.</p>","PeriodicalId":54729,"journal":{"name":"Neuropsychological Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":"905-929"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141731652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P Burfein, T Roxbury, E J Doig, M-P McSween, N de Silva, D A Copland
{"title":"Return to work for stroke survivors with aphasia: A quantitative scoping review.","authors":"P Burfein, T Roxbury, E J Doig, M-P McSween, N de Silva, D A Copland","doi":"10.1080/09602011.2024.2381874","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09602011.2024.2381874","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The international incidence of stroke in people of working age is rising. As such, meaningful work return is a major rehabilitation goal for many individuals, including those with aphasia. This scoping review aimed to outline the post-stroke aphasia evidence related to work outcomes, factors influencing employment along with contemporary vocational-language and communication rehabilitation practice. The review employed terms related to aphasia, stroke, rehabilitation, and return to work in publications preceding 25.6.2023. Data were descriptively analysed, and vocational outcomes were summarized at defined timepoints. Of the 908 articles reviewed, 31 papers were included. Individuals with post-stroke aphasia consistently have lower rates of return to work than those post-stroke without aphasia. Employment at one year was 34.29% for those with aphasia compared to 58.46% for people without aphasia. No literature reported vocational-language assessment practices and there were minimal work-focused aphasia interventions identified. There was insufficient evidence to clearly identify person-related, rehabilitation, workplace or other factors influencing work return. This scoping review has identified that there are gaps in knowledge about the factors that influence work return and targeted vocational rehabilitation for this group. Future research to optimize return to work for individuals with aphasia is recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":54729,"journal":{"name":"Neuropsychological Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":"1081-1115"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141861670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andreas Kirknæs Færk, Jakob Lindegaard Lund, Finn Sellebjerg, Helene Højsgaard Chow, Lisbet Marstrand, Mia Loft
{"title":"Cognitively stimulating activities in multiple sclerosis: A qualitative feasibility study.","authors":"Andreas Kirknæs Færk, Jakob Lindegaard Lund, Finn Sellebjerg, Helene Højsgaard Chow, Lisbet Marstrand, Mia Loft","doi":"10.1080/09602011.2025.2501641","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2025.2501641","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Some people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) exhibit high cognitive reserve (CR), potentially mitigating cognitive decline. Cognitively stimulating activities (CSAs) contribute to CR, suggesting that interventions entailing CSAs may enhance cognitive function in MS.</p><p><strong>Objectives/aims: </strong>To evaluate the feasibility of an intervention designed to increase CSA participation (e.g., reading, writing, language learning).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants were interviewed after a 12-week intervention in a randomized controlled trial. Participants were selected based on prespecified criteria to ensure sample diversity. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using an inductive content analysis approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>14 participants were interviewed. The intervention was deemed feasible and acceptable by participants. Benefits included subjective cognitive improvements, increased impairment awareness, and engagement in compensatory strategies. Some reported indirect benefits, including improvements in mood and physical functioning. Barriers included a lack of training structure, technical aspects of the intervention, busy schedules, and guilt from not strictly adhering to protocol. Barriers were most prevalent in participants with progressive MS, younger age, busy schedules, and high pre-intervention activity levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>An individualized intervention to increase CSAs in pwMS is feasible. Future interventions could benefit from including people with low to medium participation in CSAs and should consider implementing measures of progress along the way to maintain motivation.</p>","PeriodicalId":54729,"journal":{"name":"Neuropsychological Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":"1-33"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144081751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Magnus Bye Blumenfeld, Joshua Simmich, Emmah Joan Doig, Trevor Russell, Megan H Ross
{"title":"Patient and clinician perspectives of the use of driving simulators for rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury.","authors":"Magnus Bye Blumenfeld, Joshua Simmich, Emmah Joan Doig, Trevor Russell, Megan H Ross","doi":"10.1080/09602011.2025.2503338","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2025.2503338","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The ability to resume driving is a common goal for individuals who sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Driving simulators present a potential avenue for driving rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of clinicians and individuals with lived experience of TBI about the use of modern driving simulators in clinical practice. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with nine clinicians (aged 23-57; 100% women) with 4-36 years of driving rehabilitation experience and eight individuals (aged 18-57; 62.5% women) who were 1-30 years post TBI. Focus groups and interviews were audio recorded and analysed inductively using thematic analysis. Two overarching themes were identified that encompassed participants' perspectives of the <i>Perceived benefits</i> and <i>Considerations for implementation.</i> Driving simulators were perceived by clinician and patient participants as potentially beneficial for assessing driving ability and readiness to drive, and as an additional rehabilitation tool. Implementation barriers, including cost, safety, ease of use and accessibility were identified, with some participants expressing concerns about usefulness in understanding real-world driving performance and providing false hope about return to driving for people with TBI. More research is needed to evaluate safe application, validity of simulators as an assessment tool and effectiveness.</p>","PeriodicalId":54729,"journal":{"name":"Neuropsychological Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":"1-22"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144081782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sara Katherine Simblett, Daniel O'Donoghue, Maya Carraro, Syeda Tazrin, Sinan Erturk, Ania Wieczorek, Daniel Dowling, Rebekah Jamieson-Craig, Jessica Fish, Ava Easton, John Ling, Christopher Symeon, Simon Harrison, Til Wykes
{"title":"Technology to improve mental health after an acquired brain injury? A cohort study of research priorities identified by service users, carers, and healthcare professionals in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Sara Katherine Simblett, Daniel O'Donoghue, Maya Carraro, Syeda Tazrin, Sinan Erturk, Ania Wieczorek, Daniel Dowling, Rebekah Jamieson-Craig, Jessica Fish, Ava Easton, John Ling, Christopher Symeon, Simon Harrison, Til Wykes","doi":"10.1080/09602011.2025.2491744","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2025.2491744","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Research on health-technology for people with acquired brain injury (ABI) is evolving rapidly and accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. But there is little information on what ABI stakeholders want from this research. We conducted a mixed methods study using an online survey with data collected twice, before and during, the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were 18 + from three self-identified stakeholder groups: (1) people with ABI, (2) ABI carers, and (3) ABI healthcare professionals. There were 252 participants (55.8%) before the COVID-19 pandemic and 200 (44.2%) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Half (49.3%, n = 223) were healthcare professionals, one third (33.6%, n = 152) people with ABI, and the remainder (17.0%, n = 77) carers. Most had experience with technology (97.8%, n = 224) and acknowledged its value in supporting mental health. Nine key research priorities were identified pre-pandemic, spanning innovative technologies for specific purposes (aiding cognition, managing emotions, accessing support groups, and gaining information), and general barriers and facilitators to using technology. These themes were also present during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the second cohort were less enthusiastic about, and some (medics, physiotherapists, and social workers) were less willing to use technology to support mental health, highlighting challenges that were not previously apparent.</p>","PeriodicalId":54729,"journal":{"name":"Neuropsychological Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":"1-19"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144081912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christina Seery, Deirdre M Twomey, Jessica Dully, Erin Breheny, Treasa Skelly, Laura Davenport, Jessica Bramham, Nuala Brady, Fiadhnait O'Keeffe
{"title":"Effect of psychological interventions on depressive symptoms in the long term after acquired brain injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Christina Seery, Deirdre M Twomey, Jessica Dully, Erin Breheny, Treasa Skelly, Laura Davenport, Jessica Bramham, Nuala Brady, Fiadhnait O'Keeffe","doi":"10.1080/09602011.2025.2499745","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2025.2499745","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological therapies applied more than one year after an acquired brain injury (ABI) in reducing depressive symptoms. A systematic literature search of databases yielded 48 studies that evaluated a psychological intervention for people with an ABI, applied the intervention on average more than one year after the ABI, compared pre- and post-intervention validated measures of depression and were available in English. The intervention did not have to be implemented with the sole of aim of reducing depressive symptoms. There was a significant reduction in depressive symptoms in those who received a psychological intervention in 29 out of 48 studies. Thirty-one studies compared depression scores in an intervention and a control group and were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis indicated a significant small overall effect size, -0.31, (standardized difference in means as the measure of ES; 95% CI, -0.53, -0.09, <i>p</i> = .0057, Tau<sup>2</sup> = 0.30), suggesting that psychological interventions are effective in reducing depressive symptoms in those with an ABI when compared to control conditions. The effect may be biased by a small-study effect and dependent effect sizes.</p>","PeriodicalId":54729,"journal":{"name":"Neuropsychological Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":"1-50"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144027006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tamara Ownsworth, Katarzyna Małgorzata Lion, Mark B Pinkham, Stephanie Jones, Eng-Siew Koh, Raymond Chan, Joanne M Shaw, Haryana M Dhillon, Abigail Billin
{"title":"Perceived need for and benefits of brain tumour specific psychological support: A longitudinal mixed methods study of the Telehealth Making Sense of Brain Tumour (Tele-MAST) programme.","authors":"Tamara Ownsworth, Katarzyna Małgorzata Lion, Mark B Pinkham, Stephanie Jones, Eng-Siew Koh, Raymond Chan, Joanne M Shaw, Haryana M Dhillon, Abigail Billin","doi":"10.1080/09602011.2025.2499742","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09602011.2025.2499742","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Making Sense of Brain Tumour programme delivered via videoconferencing (Tele-MAST) demonstrated efficacy for improving mental health and quality of life in people with primary brain tumour (PBT). This study explored the perceived need for and benefits of the Tele-MAST programme, from the perspectives of individuals with PBT and family members. Individuals with PBT completed semi-structured interviews prior to Tele-MAST, after Tele-MAST, and at 3-months follow-up. Twenty-four participants (<i>M</i> age = 46.26, <i>SD</i> = 11.45; 63% high-grade glioma) commenced Tele-MAST (including 6 couples) and 16 completed the programme (67% retention). Reflexive thematic analysis identified PBT as a <i>unique and complex illness</i> with multiple unknowns and emotional impacts<i>.</i> Individuals often felt <i>lost and cast aside</i> in the healthcare system as they searched for <i>understanding and hope</i> regarding the illness. Unmet psychological support needs were typically addressed by <i>experiencing Tele-MAST</i>, a person-centred intervention in which the complexities of PBT were understood from the outset and individuals felt supported to cope with and find meaning in their illness. Providing early and ongoing access with longer-term support options was considered key to <i>improving Tele-MAST</i>. These findings underscore the value of early access to tailored psychological support delivered flexibly according to individuals' ongoing support needs and preferences.</p>","PeriodicalId":54729,"journal":{"name":"Neuropsychological Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":"1-34"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144041358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nick Sathananthan, Eric Morris, David Gillanders, Roshan das Nair, Lucy Knox, Dana Wong
{"title":"Rebuilding the self through valued action and group connections after acquired brain injury: Participant perspectives of the VaLiANT group intervention.","authors":"Nick Sathananthan, Eric Morris, David Gillanders, Roshan das Nair, Lucy Knox, Dana Wong","doi":"10.1080/09602011.2024.2359992","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09602011.2024.2359992","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Effective interventions that facilitate adjustment following acquired brain injury (ABI) are needed to improve long-term outcomes and meaningful reengagement in life. VaLiANT is an 8-week group intervention that combines cognitive rehabilitation with Acceptance and Commitment therapy to improve valued living, wellbeing, and adjustment. This study explored participant experiences of VaLiANT to optimize its ongoing development. This included characterization of individually meaningful treatment outcomes, mechanisms of action, and intervention acceptability. Qualitative interviews and quantitative ratings were collected from 39 ABI survivors (<i>M<sub>age </sub></i>= 52, <i>SD</i> = 15; 54% stroke) following their participation in VaLiANT. Participants reported diverse outcomes which resulted in three themes being generated following reflexive thematic analysis. \"A fuller toolkit for life with brain injury\" indicated increased strategy usage and better daily functioning; \"The value of connection and belonging\" captured the importance of social experiences in shaping recovery; and \"Finding the me I can be\" represented cognitive, behavioural, and emotional aspects of identity reconstruction post-ABI. The content and delivery of the intervention were rated highly but participants desired greater follow-up and tailoring of the intervention. Overall, VaLiANT appears to facilitate adjustment through several mechanisms, but greater intervention individualization and dosage may be required to enhance the treatment impact.</p>","PeriodicalId":54729,"journal":{"name":"Neuropsychological Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":"728-756"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141261704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Thriving in the wake of a storm: A systematic qualitative review & meta-synthesis on facilitating post-traumatic growth in patients living with Acquired Brain Injury.","authors":"Pamela Arroyo, Lowri Wilkie, Elen Davies, Zoe Fisher, Andrew Haddon Kemp","doi":"10.1080/09602011.2024.2356891","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09602011.2024.2356891","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) often results in significant challenges, yet it may also facilitate Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG). This review explores a critical question: \"What are the main factors contributing to PTG following ABI, and what potential barriers to its development are perceived by ABI survivors?\" Here we aim to systematically uncover these contributors and barriers to PTG through a meta-synthesis, involving a comprehensive review of previously published qualitative research on this topic. A literature search was conducted across PsycINFO, CINAHL, and MEDLINE up to December 2022 to identify studies for inclusion. From an initial pool of 1,946 records, eleven articles were selected for inclusion. Reflexive thematic analysis yielded three analytical themes including \"Journey to Self-Rediscovery\", \"Strength in Connection\" and \"Overcoming Obstacles\". Our findings also revealed facilitators and barriers across multiple levels of scale including personal (e.g., acceptance versus resignation), interpersonal (e.g., positive social ties versus difficulties making social connections), and systemic (e.g., new meaning and purpose versus financial constraints) scales. Our research extends existing knowledge in ABI rehabilitation, providing a more nuanced understanding of the dynamics influencing PTG with implications for clinicians seeking to promote wellbeing following brain injury.</p>","PeriodicalId":54729,"journal":{"name":"Neuropsychological Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":"810-836"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141319035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}