Comparing strategies for treating emotion perception deficits in traumatic brain injury

To compare the efficacy of 2 strategies, errorless learning (EL) and self-instruction training (SIT), for remediating emotion perception deficits in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Randomized controlled trial comparing groups receiving 25 hours (across 10 weeks) of treatment with either EL or SIT with waitlist control.

Eighteen adult outpatient volunteers with severe TBI who were at least 6 months postinjury.

Photograph-based emotion recognition tasks, The Awareness of Social Inferences Test, and questionnaire measures, for example, the Sydney Psychosocial Reintegration Scale.

Both treatment groups showed modest improvement in emotion perception ability. Limited evidence suggests that SIT may be a favorable approach for this type of remediation.

Although further research is needed, there are reasons for optimism regarding rehabilitation of emotion perception following TBI.