Article

The purpose was to explore and understand what patients with mild
acquired brain injury (mABI) consider is effective in a holistic therapy group
rehabilitation programme and how the programme affects the rehabilitation
process. METHODS: Thematic interviews were conducted with ten informants with
diagnosed mABI. They were recruited through purposive sampling after completing a
group rehabilitation programme. The data were analysed using a constant
comparative method. RESULTS: The programme provided the informants with awareness
of their difficulties in daily life. They were thus motivated to develop
compensatory strategies for better function. The core category 'process of
change' and four sub-categories were defined: 'the group process', 'the
individual', 'family' and 'work'. These describe how the programme supported
illness management strategies, e.g. setting and maintaining boundaries, coping
with and accepting the hard facts of disability. Body awareness training was
important. Work capacity was regarded as a measure of recovery. Social relations
concentrated on meaningful exchanges. CONCLUSION: When meeting patients with mABI
it is important to consider that, despite apparently well functioning; they might
suffer from disabling symptoms that affect performance of daily life. A holistic
group rehabilitation programme with integrated information properly provides a
short cut to facilitating awareness and adjustment.

Langue : ANGLAIS