Does feedback influence awareness following traumatic brain injury?

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently results in cognitive and behavioral deficits.
• Self-awareness is crucial for rehabilitation and community reintegration after TBI.
• The role of feedback from close-others in modulating self-awareness post-TBI requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between feedback from close-others and self-awareness in individuals with TBI.
• To explore reasons why close-others may or may not provide feedback.
• To understand the acceptance and acknowledgement of feedback by individuals with TBI.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 69 individuals with mild-to-severe TBI and their close-others.
• Data collected using the Awareness Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Trail Making Test-Part B, and Feedback about Cognitive Difficulties Questionnaire.
• Assessments conducted between 3 months and 20 years post-injury.

Main Results:

• Cognitive and/or behavioral issues were identified in 97% of individuals with TBI.
• Over 80% received feedback from close-others, often due to not wanting to cause distress or hinder rehabilitation.
• While 60% detected errors upon receiving feedback, acceptance and acknowledgement levels were low.
• No mediated or moderated relationships were found between feedback frequency and self-awareness.

Conclusions:

• Close-others frequently provide feedback to individuals with TBI, but acceptance is limited.
• Clinicians should collaborate with close-others to improve the delivery and reception of feedback.
• Enhanced support for supportive relationships can facilitate effective feedback and potentially improve self-awareness in TBI recovery.