Community partnered peer support after traumatic brain injury: a feasibility case study

Peer support can enhance the rehabilitation experience for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Understanding the feasibility of integrating peer support using a co-design approach can ensure effective delivery. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a community-based peer support program for people with moderate to severe TBI using a co-designed approach.

A case series pre-post feasibility study was conducted in partnership with a community brain injury organisation. Participants were adults who experienced a moderate to severe TBI <12 months earlier. Feasibility was assessed using process (recruitment and retention rates), resource (adherence to intervention), management (implementation fidelity) and scientific indicators (pre-post intervention changes).

Three participants were included, and most measures of feasibility were achieved. Process was achieved with a recruitment rate of 60% (3/5) and a retention rate of 100%. Resource feasibility was achieved with all peer support sessions (100%). Management feasibility was met through the completion of a co-created checklist of session management by peer support workers. Scientific feasibility outcomes showed limited change between pre- and post-intervention.

This study demonstrates the feasibility of a co-designed peer support program for people with TBI. Future research may examine the implementation of peer support to explore program scalability and refine outcome measures to better capture the benefits of a peer support focused intervention.