Research Initiatives and Therapeutic Group Outcomes
To advance its commitment to quality care, Brain Injury Services
participates in a variety of research initiatives. Of primary
concern in the decision to pursue a research question is the
protection of the rights and confidentiality of the participants
who participate. All research projects and therapeutic groups
support the mission, vision and values of the agency.
All potential projects and initiatives are reviewed and approved
by the Service Outcomes Measurement Committee (SOMC) at Brain
Injury Services, the executive director, clinical director,
and the board of directors. Projects in partnership with other
organizations must first be approved by the Research Ethics
Board of the partnering organization.
Annually Dr. Bruce Linder, clinical director at Brain Injury
Services, with staff and students from the Department of Psychology
at McMaster University conduct research related to the effects
of living with an acquired brain injury.
A variety of Therapeutic groups are provided for participants
at Brain Injury Services. These groups offer individuals the
opportunity to learn from their peers. Participants increase
their knowledge about an issue, enhance their interpersonal
and coping skills, and gain a better understanding and acceptance
of themselves.
To assess participants’ skill development, pre- and post-testing
is completed for each group. This includes a knowledge test
based on the curriculum of the group as well as standardized
assessments. Once the program is completed, the results are
used to determine individual achievement and overall group outcomes.
The information is shared with involved staff and used for participant
skill development planning.
All research projects and therapeutic groups support the mission,
vision and values of the agency.
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Participant Peer
Support Group – 2008
Eight participants attended a fifteen week, peer-facilitated group to
discuss a variety of topics related to living with an acquired brain
injury.
Anger Management Therapeutic Group – 2008 Eight individuals participated in a weekly Anger Management group to increase their knowledge of anger management strategies and reduce anger and angry outbursts.
Self-Esteem Therapeutic Group – 2008 Ten individuals participated in a 12 week therapeutic group to learn strategies to enhance self-esteem, decrease depression and develop coping skills.
Evaluation of Client Care - 2008 In November 2006, Brain Injury Services assumed responsibility of the care for 18 individuals previously served by another provider. Satisfaction with service and quality of life were assessed to evaluate the disruption caused by the introduction of a new service provider.
Determiners of Depression among Adults with Acquired Brain Injury/Partnership with McMaster University – 2007 This project is intended to explore the relative importance of unresolved grief and social isolation in determining depression in the ABI population. This study is in progress and scheduled to be completed May 2008.
A Study of the Validity of the Functional Assessment of Verbal Reasoning and Executive Functioning Test (FAVRES)/Partnership with McMaster University – 2007 This project is intended to assess the convergent and divergent validity of the test and its usefulness with the ABI population. The FAVRES study is in progress and scheduled to be completed May 2008.
CHOICES Therapeutic Group – 2007 Eight program participants attended a 15 session group for individual assessment and to learn strategies to enhance skills in the management of alcohol and drug use.
Family Education Group – 2007 Family members participated in a three hour one-time session to learn strategies and receive education on providing care for their relative who has sustained a brain Injury.
Stress Coping Styles, Problem Solving Skills, Mental Health, Therapeutic Relationship and Goal Attainment Success among Adults with Acquired Brain Injury/Partnership with McMaster University – 2006 Thirty-five program participants were recruited to participate in a research study to measure social problem solving skills, mental health, goal attainment and working alliance.
Caregiver Roles and Styles as Factors in Caregiver Restrictiveness/Partnership with McMaster University - 2006 Particular attention had been focused on overly restrictive practices by caregivers when managing challenging behaviours. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of different caregiver styles, the relationship with parenting styles and the relationships between caregiver style, program consistency and behavioural challenges.
Participant Peer Support Group – 2006 Nineteen individuals attended a 20 week, peer-facilitated group to discuss a variety of topics related to living with an acquired brain injury.
Adaptive Behaviour Scale – Residential and Community (ABS-RC: 2) 2007 - To assess skill development, Brain Injury Services utilizes an assessment tool, The Adaptive Behavior Scale: Residential and Community, Version 2 (ABS-RC: 2). This summary outlines data that has been compiled over the last three years