Group-based positive psychotherapy for people living with ABI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Group-based positive psychotherapy for people living with Acquired Brain Injury: A feasibility study
IRAS ID
271251
Contact name
Andrew Kemp
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea Bay Health Baord
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN12690685
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 28 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Acquired brain injury (ABI) and other chronic conditions are placing unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to approach healthcare differently to meet increasing demand now and in the future. ABI leads to a range of physical, cognitive, psychological and social difficulties. Importantly, the impact of ABI on patients commonly includes significant long-term emotional distress including depression and a heightened risk of suicide, with depression predicting suicidal ideation.
We have developed a novel intervention to address the long-term psychological and emotional needs of people with ABI based on the most up-to-date evidence and our own theoretical models, and now seek to test the effects of our intervention empirically. The aim is to undertake a feasibility study as a first step towards conducting a full-scale randomised-controlled trial (RCT) to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of a Positive Psychotherapy intervention for people living with ABI.
A total of 60 participants will be recruited – 20 participants at each site, with 10 allocated to the intervention and 10 to TAU. We will determine whether there is any need to refine the intervention, and address specific questions about trial feasibility including acceptability of the intervention and particular aspects of the trial, scalability, participant recruitment and retention, and training requirements for clinicians and mentors. A key component of our study is the inclusion of service user mentors who will been trained to co-deliver specific aspects of the intervention, providing a meaningful role for mentors as well as hope and inspiration for participants attending the group. Dissemination: Service users will be involved in our communication activities wherever appropriate. Findings will be published in journals read by other researchers, clinicians and ABI specialists, and will be presented at workshops and conferences.
Summary of Results
Traditional medical approaches often fall short of addressing the comprehensive needs of those living with acquired brain injury (ABI), emphasising physical recovery and neglecting broader psychological wellbeing. This gap highlights the necessity for innovative treatment approaches that encompass not just physical but also mental and social facets of recovery. Responding to this need, our research explored the feasibility of an innovative positive psychotherapy intervention designed for individuals with ABI on which a full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) would build.
Main Messages and Implications
- Quantitative Data: A high level of engagement suggests that people with ABI are willing and able to participate in research on positive psychotherapy, indicating feasibility for a future larger-scale RCT.
- Qualitative Data: The intervention was acceptable to individuals with ABI and perceived as beneficial, highlighting qualitative evaluation as a useful methodological approach.
- Psychophysiological Data: While data collection is feasible, a host of potentially confounding participant characteristics may impact on our capacity to draw objective conclusions in a full-scale trial.
- Health Economics: It is feasible to conduct health economic evaluations within the context of ABI psychotherapy research, providing insights into the cost implications of implementing such interventions in real-world settings. A future trial may benefit further from a full economic evaluation that provides a wider societal perspective.
- Service user-involvement significantly influenced the work, aligning with UK Standards for Public Involvement. Prioritising inclusivity, service users contributed to all aspects of our study, ensuring relevance and accessibility.Conclusion: The study demonstrated successful recruitment, retention, and intervention adherence, indicating the feasibility of conducting a larger trial. Participant feedback was positive, endorsing satisfaction with the recruitment process, data collection, and the intervention. While the study was underpowered, findings are promising, showing improvements in some wellbeing measures.
REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
19/WA/0336
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jan 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion