Factors affecting leisure participation after a traumatic brain injury: an exploratory study

To explore leisure participation by people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and reasons underlying changes after the trauma.

Twenty-six individuals with mild to severe TBI.

Leisure Profile, a semi-structured questionnaire measuring involvement in leisure activities before and after TBI (frequency of activities, degree of interest, and desire to modify one's leisure activities), attitudes toward leisure, and difficulties that might influence leisure activities (impairments and environmental obstacles).

Leisure participation was greatly disrupted after TBI, with 92% of the participants reporting a reduction posttrauma. Less severe injuries, more time since the injury, and the presence of social obstacles in the environment were positively correlated with leisure participation. Motor impairments had a negative impact on leisure participation.

TBI has a significant negative effect on leisure participation. Leisure activities should be evaluated and included in a therapy program designed to promote reintegration into society and work.