Self-awareness interventions after acquired brain injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Self-awareness (SA) is a crucial component of the neurorehabilitation processes for persons with acquired brain injury. Specific intervention programs to improve SA have been developed and implemented with heterogeneous results. The current study was undertaken to summarize this evidence by conducting a systematic review of relevant literature and to perform a meta-analysis of the most reliable and important results.

A systematic literature search made in May 2023 across three databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycINFO) resulted in a final selection of 16 primary studies based on 17 different groups.

In an initial meta-analysis, the effect sizes were calculated as the standardized d, that is, pre-post change scores corrected for bias. Using a random-effects model, we obtained a significant mean effect size for the interventions, k = 17, g = 0.6404 [0.411, 0.870] with significant heterogeneity among the studies, Q(16) = 43.06, p < .001, and a significant, but modest publication bias. Moderator analysis showed that the SA intervention efficacy could be improved by "metacognition" as an intervention technique. A second meta-analysis was carried out considering the seven studies with between-subjects designs, and again a significant mean effect size was obtained, k = 7, g = 0.6713 [0.403, 0.94].

Overall, the present study provided positive evidence to support the efficacy of specific SA interventions in adults with acquired brain injury. Further studies are warranted to explore the mechanisms by which SA interventions exert their effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).