Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 5, 2014
Establishing 'proof of concept' for a social cognition group treatment program (SIFT IT) after traumatic brain
A Cassel1, S McDonald1, M Kelly2
1School of Psychology, University of New South Wales , Sydney, Australia.
Objective:
Social cognitive deficits are prevalent after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Despite this, few remediation studies exist. This study aimed to demonstrate 'proof of concept' for a novel group treatment that comprehensively targeted the core processes of social cognition.
Design:
Pre-post case study with two participants, "Greg" and "Aaron", living with severe TBI, with three assessment time points.
Method:
Participants were screened at baseline to confirm social cognitive deficits: Greg exhibited difficulties with emotion perception and detecting hints; Aaron with detecting sarcasm and hints. Both reported everyday social problems. Participants then completed the 14-week group treatment program (SIFT IT). Feasibility and outcome measures were repeated post-group and at three-month follow-up.
Results:
The study procedure was implemented with 100% assessment and 89% SIFT IT session attendance, albeit with a lack of proxy-report measures. Both participants described procedures as acceptable, although suggested more group participants could be beneficial. They both demonstrated reliable improvements (RCI > 1.96) on relevant social cognitive measures. Qualitative feedback corroborated findings: Greg reported generalization of therapeutic gains, Aaron reported increased self-awareness but nominal generalization.
Conclusion:
Feasibility and limited efficacy outcomes established 'proof of concept' of SIFT IT. Findings will inform the study protocol for a larger randomized-controlled trial.
