Efficacy of leisure intervention groups in rehabilitation of people with an acquired brain injury

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether participation in a week-long residential leisure intervention program targeting individuals with an acquired brain injury (ABI) improved the leisure satisfaction, self-esteem and quality of life (QOL) of participants. The program included leisure awareness, leisure resources, social interaction skills and leisure activity skills. Method: Using a pre- and post-intervention design leisure satisfaction, self-esteem and QOL were assessed prior to, immediately following and at three months post program. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: Participants were eight men and four women aged between 19 and 49 years who were recent clients of a rural Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service. The majority (7/12) had acquired their ABI more than two years previously, and for most (10/12) the cause was trauma. Program participants showed clinically important and statistically significant improvements in leisure satisfaction (p = 0.002), self-esteem (p = 0.03) and QOL (p = 0.02 to 0.008 for four domains of the World Health Organisation Quality of Life – Bref scale) three months post program. Conclusion: Adults with an ABI participating in leisure education programs can experience improvements in leisure satisfaction, self-esteem and QOL following the program. The findings suggest that active leisure intervention programs should be included in the ongoing rehabilitative care of adults with an ABI.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Leisure participation, leisure satisfaction and social integration can be seriously compromised following an acquired brain injury (ABI).

• Engagement in leisure activities has positive effects on physical and mental health and is increasingly recognised as an important determinant of quality of life (QOL) for people with ABI.

• Participation in a short-term intensive leisure intervention program can improve leisure satisfaction, self-esteem and QOL.

• Active leisure intervention programs should be included in the ongoing rehabilitation and reintegration of adults with ABI.

• Brain injury
• community rehabilitation
• leisure education
• leisure participation
• leisure satisfaction
• quality of life

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Emma Webster, David Schmidt and Dr Rob Heard for their practical advice and support.