The Effects of a Family Participation Program Regarding Sensory Stimulation on the Brain Recovery among Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed at examining the effects of family participation in sensory stimulation programs on brain recovery among patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Design: Quasi-experimental research, one group design.

Methods: This study used Schepp and Pai’s family participation framework and Sosnowski and Ustik’s theory as a framework. The sample consisted of 26 patients with severe traumatic brain injury in one hospital in the eastern part of Thailand. This program included providing information, practicing skills, and enhancing the family to participate in sensory stimulation for 14 days. The instruments were composed  of 1) demographic questionnaire 2) Glasgow coma scale 3) the sensory stimulation promoting program 4) a caregiver manual for caring patients with severe traumatic brain injury, 5) Rancho Los Amigos Score and 6) SMART assessment form. All research instruments had content validity. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of reliability for the questionnaire was .80. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, repeated measures ANOVA and the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test.

Finding: the experimental group had a significantly greater mean score of brain recovery on days 7 and 14 after receiving the program than before receiving the program (p<.01).