Longitudinal relationships among recreational therapy services, community integration, and quality of life for individuals with acquired brain injury

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Abstract:

Although recreational therapy (RT) is considered to be a valuable service for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI), longitudinal studies are needed to validate its functional utility.

Objective: 

To identify longitudinal relationships among the number of RT services, neuropsychological impairments, community integration, and quality of life for individuals with significant ABI.

Methods:

 The sample included 71 individuals with moderate/severe ABI in an inpatient rehabilitation program who received RT services and completed predictor and outcome measures during inpatient rehabilitation (n = 71) and at 6 months post-discharge (n = 33). Measures included the number of RT services offered and indices of ABI-related neuropsychological impairments, community integration, and environmental quality of life.

Results:

 Pearson correlations and multiple regressions indicated that (1) more RT services are offered to people with less successful community integration (as expected); and (2) more RT services and better community integration (but not neuropsychological impairments) are associated with better environmental quality of life.

Conclusion: 

RT services promote long-term community integration and quality of life in individuals with ABI.

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