Mayo Medical Center Brain Injury Outpatient Program: treatment procedures and early outcome data

The rehabilitation of persons with brain injuries has proved challenging; community reintegration is often unsuccessful. Herein we describe our intensive group-oriented outpatient treatment program for persons with brain injury and report outcome data for the graduates of the program thus far. This interdisciplinary program emphasizes the development of cognitive skills, compensation techniques, social skills, emotional adjustment, leisure skills, physical fitness, and health maintenance. Although goals are individually determined, independent living and employment are goals for most participants in the program. Before initial participation, all candidates undergo an extensive 2-day assessment. Typically, a patient remains in the program for approximately 6 months. The specific group treatment approaches used in the program are discussed. Outcome data are assessed with use of the Portland Adaptability Inventory and goal attainment scaling, as well as comparisons of preprogram and postprogram employment status and level of independent living. Our initial results support the conclusion that this comprehensive and integrated treatment program is efficacious in rehabilitating persons with mild to moderate sequelae of brain injury.