A Systematic Review of Parenting Interventions for Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Interventions that train parents may be a useful approach to alleviate behavioral and emotional disturbances after pediatric TBI. Some evidence suggests that these interventions may help to improve parenting skill and adjustment. However, all identified studies included interventions with multiple treatment components, so the effects attributable to parent training alone remain undetermined. Further quality trials are needed to assess the unique effectiveness of parenting interventions in this population.

Parenting a child with a traumatic brain injury: Experiences of parents and health professionals

“…Despite knowledge of the impact of TBI on the child, parents and family and the importance of family factors in recovery, there remains limited quality research considering effective family interventions for this population, both in terms of interventions teaching parents behaviour management strategies [24] and interventions addressing the adjustment of parents and families [24][25][26]. Clearly there is a need for more research to be conducted in this area to determine the best ways of supporting families in order to improve both child and family outcomes, reduce burden on healthcare systems and potentially minimize future use of mental health services.…”

Therapy Online: A Web-Based Video Support Group for Family Caregivers of Survivors With Traumatic Brain Injury

“…11,12,21,23,24 Studies that have examined the effectiveness of homebased clinician facilitated problem-solving support intervention programs for TBI caregivers when compared with receipt of educational materials only show significant decrease in caregiver depression, health complaints, and dysfunctional problem-solving styles over time. 25,26 …”

“…18 Importantly, parents of adolescents (a peak time for TBI to occur) have the additional responsibility and/or burden of trying to distinguish developmental identity and behavioral changes in growth from those related to TBI. [19][20][21] In general, social support group intervention programs for TBI caregivers have shown to improve quality of life and decrease psychosocial burden. 11,15,22 …”

Long-Term Behavioral Outcomes after a Randomized, Clinical Trial of Counselor-Assisted Problem Solving for Adolescents with Complicated Mild-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

“…behavioral outcomes after acquired brain injuries in young children. [5][6][7] With respect to adolescents, mounting evidence from both the pediatric and adult literature supports the potential utility of problem-solving therapy for remediating deficits post-TBI. [8][9][10][11][12][13] A series of small, randomized, clinical trials (RCTs) comparing family problem-solving therapy (FPST) to treatment as usual or access to Internet resources on brain injury documented significantly greater improvements in both internalizing and externalizing behavior problems in the FPST group immediately post-treatment.…”