Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 5, 2014
Process evaluation of 'Brains Ahead!': an intervention for children and adolescents with mild traumatic brain injury
M Irene Renaud1,2,3, Carina Klees1, Jolanda Cm van Haastregt4
1Revant Rehabilitation Centre, Breda, The Netherlands.
Insights
The "Brains Ahead!" intervention for mild traumatic brain injury in children was successfully implemented as intended. Patients, caregivers, and professionals found the intervention feasible and useful, indicating its practical value.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neurorehabilitation
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in children and adolescents requires effective interventions.
- The 'Brains Ahead!' intervention was developed to address the needs of this population.
- Assessing the implementation fidelity and user experience is crucial for intervention success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the implementation fidelity of the 'Brains Ahead!' intervention.
- To assess patient, caregiver, and professional involvement and satisfaction with the intervention.
- To determine the feasibility of the 'Brains Ahead!' intervention in a real-world setting.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods, prospective study design was employed.
- Participants included children with mTBI, their caregivers, and intervention professionals.
- Data collection involved registration forms, patient/caregiver questionnaires, and professional interviews.
Main Results:
- High attendance rates were observed, with 55 out of 60 participants attending both sessions.
- The intervention was delivered as intended to 53 participants.
- Patients, caregivers, and professionals reported high satisfaction and rated the intervention positively (average scores ranging from 7.6 to 8.1 out of 10).
Conclusions:
- The 'Brains Ahead!' intervention was largely implemented as intended.
- The process evaluation indicated that the intervention is feasible and well-received by patients, caregivers, and professionals.
- These findings support the utility of the 'Brains Ahead!' intervention for pediatric mTBI.
Objective:
To investigate whether the 'Brains Ahead! Intervention for children and adolescents with mild traumatic brain injury' was implemented as intended. In addition, involvement in and satisfaction with the intervention among patients, caregivers and professionals delivering the intervention were studied.
Design:
Mixed methods, prospective study.
Participants:
Children with mild traumatic brain injury and their caregivers, allocated to the intervention group of the randomized controlled trial in the 'Brains Ahead!' study, and the two professionals providing the intervention.
Intervention:
The intervention consists of a standardized and individualized psychoeducational session with written take-home information, and follow-up telephone call(s).
Main Measures:
Registration forms, evaluation questionnaires for patients and caregivers and semi-structured interviews for professionals.
Data Analysis:
Qualitative data were categorized based on content. Quantitative data were reported as descriptive statistics.
Results:
Fifty-five patients and caregivers out of 60 study-participants attended both sessions. All elements of the intervention were delivered to 53 study-participants. Evaluation questionnaires were completed by 21 of the 31 patients aged 12 years and older, and by 41 caregivers. Overall, the sessions were considered useful by 19 patients, 40 caregivers and both professionals. Reassurance, creating a better understanding and recognition of symptoms were rated as important aspects. On a scale from 1 to 10, the intervention was rated by children, caregivers and professionals with 7.6 (SD 1.2), 8.1 (SD .9) and 8.0 (SD .0), respectively.
Conclusion:
The 'Brains Ahead!' intervention was largely implemented as intended and the process evaluation revealed that it is considered feasible according to patients, caregivers and professionals.
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