Implementing strategy training in Taiwan: perspectives of individuals with Acquired brain injury

Abstract

Purpose

Strategy training is a rehabilitation intervention that aims to enhance problem-solving skills with respect to daily activity–related challenges and has achieved favorable results in Western countries. This study explored the perspectives of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) in Taiwan who received strategy training.

Materials and methods

Semi-structured interviews with community-dwelling adults with ABI were conducted, and reflective memos made by research team members were recorded. Interviews and memos were analyzed through thematic analysis

Results

This study included 55 participants. The analysis of the participants’ interview responses and memos yielded nine themes under three categories: 1) expectations regarding strategy training, 2) perceived benefits of strategy training, and 3) barriers affecting the process and outcomes of strategy training.

Conclusions

All the participants endorsed strategy training through different gains. Most participants’ expectations before the intervention were uncertain. Including family members into the strategy training is of key importance for a successfulness of their goals. The participants’ experiences about strategy training were affected by various barriers (i.e., health and medical problems, the physical environment, and natural events). Clinicians and researchers should consider these expectations, benefits, and barriers when studying and implementing strategy training in non-Western contexts.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Strategy training provides clients the opportunity to actively engage in their own goal setting and decision making.

• Strategy training increases the client’s confidence in their ability to participate in the community, communicate, and perform daily living and physical activities.

• Therapists should consider the health conditions and physical environment of clients when helping them set goals and before facilitating their engagement in the community.

• Taiwanese family members play a crucial role in supporting acquired brain injury survivors in strategy training.

Keywords:

• Qualitative research
• stroke
• brain injury
• rehabilitation
• strategy training
• community participation
• social participation

Acknowledgments

The authors thank our team members Yi-Han Huang and Hong-Wei Lin (Taipei Medical University) for contributing to data collection. The authors thank our collaborating hospitals, namely Taipei Medical University Hospital, Wan Fang Hospital, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital, Bei-Hu Branch, and National Taiwan University Hospital.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan [grant numbers MOST108-2314-B-038-030-MY3 and MOST111-2628-B-038-015-MY3], National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan [grant number NHRI-EX108-10819PC], Taipei Medical University – Wan Fang Hospital [grant no. 110TMU-WFH-03], and Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation [grant number TCRD-TPE-109-RT-6]. The funding sources did not influence the study design or findings.