#NPsychTeamResearch – Impact of Covid-19 lockdown for people with brain injury in the UK. Carlacci De Mattia, Campbell, Parrett. The Neuropsychologist April 2023 via NPsych

The Neuropsychologist 15: 40-51

Impact of Covid-19 lockdown on the mood, behaviour, and social activities of people with brain injury in the UK: Results of a survey of brain injury professionals’ reports

#NPsychTeamResearch

 

Abstract

The Covid-19 related lockdown of March–June 2020 in the United Kingdom (UK) may have negatively affected mood and behaviour of people with brain injuries. Conversely, there may have been beneficial effects due to reduced demand on cognition and emotional regulation. In this online survey study, care coordinators (n=19) assessed the consequences of lockdown on 130 individuals with ABI (range 3–29 clients per care co-ordinator; 10–65years+; and mostly living in residential care). The majority of reports were of no change to mood, behaviour, or social functioning (105 ratings). However, respondents reported that 88 (68 per cent) clients presented with changes: 63 clients (48 per cent) had lower mood, higher distress, and agitation, and were less engaged in usual activities; while 25 clients (19 per cent) were reported to have improved. Moreover, 13/19 (68 per cent) of respondents reported increased vulnerabilities in their clients, and 5/19 (26 per cent) reported online exploitation, controlling behaviour from partner and financial scams. These data present a mixed picture of how the first national lockdown affected people with ABI.

Read more…

#NPsychPick of the Month: Use of smartphones and tablets after acquired brain injury to support cognition. Disabil. Rehabil.: Assist. Technol. April 2023

NPsych Pick of the Month: April 2023

Use of smartphones and tablets after acquired brain injury to support cognition

Journal: Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 2023

Objectives

To describe the use of mobile devices after acquired brain injury (ABI), from the perspectives of injured individuals and significant others, and to examine factors associated with mobile device use for cognition.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with 50 adults with moderate/severe traumatic brain injury or stroke (42% women; mean of 50.7 years old, 4.6 years post-ABI), and 24 significant others. Participants completed questionnaires on mobile technology, cognitive functioning and the impact of technology.

Results

Of 45/50 adults with ABI who owned a smartphone/tablet, 31% reported difficulties in using their device post-injury, 44% had received support, and 46% were interested in further training. Significant others reported motor/visual impairments and the fear of becoming dependent on technology as barriers for mobile device use, and 65% mentioned that their injured relative needed additional support. Mobile device use for cognition was common (64%), predicted in a regression model by lower subjective memory and more positive perception of the psychosocial impacts of technology, and also associated in univariate analyses with younger age, lower executive functioning, and greater use of memory strategies.

Conclusion

Using mobile devices for cognition is common post-ABI but remains challenging for a significant proportion. Developing training approaches may help supporting technology use.

  • IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

  • Using mobile electronic devices (smartphones and tablets) is common after acquired brain injury (ABI) but is challenging for a significant proportion of individuals.

  • After the ABI, close to 50% of individuals receive support in using their mobile device, mostly from family members and friends, but rarely from rehabilitation clinicians or technology specialists.

  • In a sample of 50 adults with ABI, more frequent use of mobile devices to support cognition was associated with poorer subjective memory and executive functioning, greater use of memory strategies, more positive perception of the psychosocial impacts of technology, and younger age.

Click here to go to the article

#NPsychTeamResearch: Objects with motor valence affect the visual processing of human body parts: Evidence from behavioural and ERP studies. Lucilla C De Mattia. Cortex, Aug, 2022 via NPsych

NPsych Pick of the Month, April 2021: The impact of Covid-19 and lockdown on the lives of people with traumatic brain injury: Do we need an increased focus on the assessment and enhancement of resilience? Campbell and Parrett. NPsych. The Neuropsychologist, 11, 2021.

#NPsychTeamResearch: The impact of Covid-19 and lockdown on the lives of people with TBI. Campbell & Parrett. The Neuropsychologist 11, 2021 via NPsych

NPsych Pick of the Month, April 2021: The impact of Covid-19 and lockdown on the lives of people with traumatic brain injury: Do we need an increased focus on the assessment and enhancement of resilience? Campbell and Parrett. NPsych. The Neuropsychologist, 11, 2021.

1 2 3 4