Efficacy of the brain injury family intervention: Impact on family members

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Study evaluated the effectiveness of the Brain Injury Family Intervention (BIFI) for family caregivers of individuals with acquired brain injury. The BIFI was designed as a whole-family approach to addressing needs, emphasizing education, skill building, and psychological support. The manualized treatment focused on highly relevant topics (e.g., common injury effects, coping with loss and change, communication, and stress management) and was composed of five 2-hour sessions with outcome measurement pretreatment, posttreatment, and at 3 months follow-up. Outcome measures included the Family Needs Questionnaire, the Service Obstacles Scale, and the Zarit Burden Interview. Of the 108 families enrolled in the treatment group, 80 completed the intervention program and the baseline and posttreatment assessments. Of the 46 families in the control group, 29 completed the baseline assessment and 24 completed all assessments. Treatment group caregivers showed an increase in met needs, greater satisfaction with services, and reduced burden relative to pretesting, whereas controls did not. Between-group differences for Professional Support needs were identified. This study provides evidence that a curriculum-based education, skill-building, and support intervention can benefit caregivers for up to 3 months. Additional research is needed to determine the longer-term benefits of intervention and the efficacy of alternative delivery methods (e.g., via telephone and the Internet).

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