The Intensive Cognitive-Communication Rehabilitation Program for Young Adults With Acquired Brain Injury

Abstract

Purpose This study investigated the effects of an intensive cognitive-communication rehabilitation (ICCR) program for young individuals with chronic acquired brain injury. Method ICCR included classroom lectures; metacognitive instruction, modeling, and application; technology skills training; and individual cognitive–linguistic therapy. Four individuals participated in the intensive program (6 hr with 1-hr lunch break × 4 days × 12 weeks of treatment): 3 participants completed 3 consecutive semesters, and 1 participant completed 1 semester. Two controls did not receive treatment and completed assessments before and after the 12-week treatment interval only. Results All 4 experimental participants demonstrated significant improvements on at least 1 standardized cognitive–linguistic measure, whereas controls did not. Furthermore, time point significantly predicted participants' scores on 2 of the 4 standardized outcome measures, indicating that as duration in ICCR increased, scores also increased. Participants who completed multiple semesters of ICCR also improved in their therapy and personal goals, classroom behavior, life participation, and quality of life. Conclusion After ICCR, participants showed gains in their cognitive–linguistic functioning, classroom participation, and individual therapy. They also demonstrated improvements outside the classroom and in their overall well-being. There is a gap between the large population of young adults with acquired brain injury who wish to return to higher education and a lack of rehabilitation programs supporting reentry into academic environments; ICCR is a first step in reducing that gap.

Metacognitive Treatment in Acquired Brain Injury and Its Applicability to Aphasia: A Systematic Review

“…Intensive treatment programs ranged from 4 to 8 h a day, spanned treatment durations of 4 days up to 12 weeks. The dosage of intensive treatment protocols ranged greatly from as few as 16 h over 4 days/2 weeks ( 56 ) up to 369 h over 5 days/12 weeks ( 36 ) of active treatment.…”

“…The assessments ranged in what they were testing including expressive language, discourse measurements and reading comprehension. Metacognitive rehabilitation was shown to be effective for language in some studies (25,39), but demonstrated mixed effects in other studies (18,25,36,65) and were not effective in two studies (38,61). (34,55).…”

“…Recent literature has emerged regarding the use of metacognitive therapy with people with aphasia ( 18 , 25 , 36 – 38 ). When provided during rehabilitation of cognitive-linguistic skills, metacognitive therapies are intended to enhance self-awareness and promote greater cognitive understanding and control during IADLs.…”

Influence of RehaCom Therapy on the Improvement of Manual Skills in Multiple Sclerosis Subjects

“…Another potential benefit of this combined and extended treatment program is the exploitation of screen and computer technology. As such technology typically appeals to younger generations, the therapy could prove more effective when administered to young and middle-aged patients [26]. Effective therapy typically leads to a faster return to normal life and work.…”

Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Programmes: a systematic scoping review and analysis using the TIDieR checklist for reporting interventions

“…Exclusion criteria: cognitive-communication rehabilitation programmes which self-identified as different from ICAPs [81][82][83][84].…”