Experiences of acquired brain injury survivors participating in online and hybrid performance arts programmes: an ethnographic study

Figures & data

Table 1. Interview participants.

Participants (n)	Age (mean years, SD)	Gender (Male, Female, %)	Type of ABI (Stroke, ABI, %)	Time since ABI (mean years, SD)
London (13)	64 (11.8)	Male (53.8%)	Stroke (100%)	5 (4.7)
Donegal (8)	63 (16.7)	Male (50%)	Stroke (100%)	6 (2.3)

Table 2. Artists and facilitator characteristics.

Artists and facilitators (n)	Age (mean years, SD)	Gender (Male, Female, %)	Role (Artist, Facilitator, %)
London (4)	58 (11.6)	Female (60%)	Artist (60%)
Donegal (3)	48 (5.8)	Female (66.7%)	Artist (66.7%)

Table 3. Models of delivery and key differences between London and Donegal projects.

London	Donegal
Delivered May – September 2021.	Delivered November 2021 to March 2022 (when Covid restrictions began to ease in Ireland).
Two artists and two ambassadors live streamed webcasts from a studio to participants who joined via Zoom.	Hybrid of Zoom and face-to-face sessions.
Participants had a range of ABIs, including stroke; some had been acquired very recently (including during the strictest Covid restrictions in 2020), while others were longer term.	Participants were all stroke survivors and were between 3- and 24-years post-stroke.
Some participants felt able to attend a face-to-face group, and others did not. Some would be able to use public transport, others would use cars, and many would need assistance with the journey.	All depended on cars to travel to a face-to-face group, but all were able to manage this.
All participants were able to connect online – broadband was not an obstacle to participation.	Broadband challenges in rural areas were sometimes insurmountable, despite considerable efforts to support people participating online.
Covid restrictions for those with recent strokes led to severe loneliness and isolation.	Participants described that Covid restrictions were challenging in the same way as for the general population.
Participants had a wide range of functional limitations and impairments, including mobility difficulties, arm weakness, communication difficulties (aphasia) and cognitive challenges (e.g. memory and thinking).	All participants had a high level of functional independence and were fully mobile. They were most concerned about difficulties with their memories, fatigue and confidence.
Sessions were delivered entirely via Zoom.	Combination of zoom sessions and face-to face-sessions.
The final piece was a video with contributions from all participants.	The final piece was a live performance.