Group-based positive psychotherapy for people living with acquired brain injury: A feasibility study

Background: 

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is an injury caused to the brain by an event like an accident or infection and it can have profound and life-changing consequences. Treatment typically focuses on rehabilitation; trying to recover as much function as possible in commonly-affected areas like mobility and thinking skills, and helping people compensate for long-term problems.

However, it is becoming clear that health and wellbeing does not arise when interventions are aimed at reducing impairment alone. For people with ABI, health and wellbeing are affected not just by physical damage to their brain. It is also affected by the limiting effect this can have on opportunities for positive psychological experiences (eg. meaningful activities), positive health behaviours (like exercise), and building social connections (positive relationships).

Our feedback from ABI survivors indicates that reducing impairment does not provide opportunities for meaning or fulfilment. In response to this feedback and with a solid understanding of the latest science, we have worked with patients to develop a new treatment that focuses on wellbeing by building opportunities for positive psychological experiences, positive health behaviours and social connectivity. This novel approach incorporates principles from positive psychotherapy; promoting positive emotion and meaningful existence, as well as a focus on positive health behaviours and ideas from recent developments in the science of wellbeing. Importantly, our treatment is delivered in a group setting, where trained 'patient mentors' help other group members to identify ways of moving forward despite the limitations they face. As well as helping to facilitate the group, patient mentors benefit from this meaningful role.

Aim and overarching goal: 

We are encouraged by the results we have seen to date and the recognition that we are beginning to receive. Our hope is for our treatment to eventually be used to benefit those with a variety of chronic conditions. To achieve this however, we must begin on a programme of research to test our approach formally, quantifying its benefits and showing that it can be clinically and cost effective. As an essential first step, this project will test the feasibility of running a full-scale trial of our treatment and answer important questions about how best to run such a trial.

Public involvement:

Our research is shaped by the feedback that we have received from brain-injury survivors. They have told us clearly what they want from healthcare providers. Our patients have been involved in developing the new treatment and planning this proposal. A key aspect of our treatment is the use of patient-mentors. Importantly, three service users are co-applicants on our application and all have experienced the intervention as participants and mentors. These individuals have individual skills that add considerable value to the intervention as well as the research team.

Dissemination: 

We will publish our findings in journals read by other researchers, clinicians and ABI specialists and present them at important conferences. We will liaise with health board and university communications teams, and with charities like Headway, to identify further opportunities to publicise our findings (eg. social media, newsletters, websites). Service users will be involved in our communication activities wherever appropriate.