Effects of Peer Mentoring for Caregivers of Patients With Acquired Brain Injury: A Preliminary Investigation of Efﬁcacy

Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arrct.2021.100149 · Published: January 1, 2021

Rehabilitation Social Support Brain Injury

Simple Explanation

This research explores how peer mentoring affects caregivers of individuals who have experienced an acquired brain injury (ABI). The study aimed to see if peer mentoring could encourage caregivers to participate in support services, reduce their stress, and alleviate depression. The study involved a controlled trial where caregivers were assigned to either receive usual care or participate in one-on-one visits with a trained peer mentor. These mentors were also family caregivers of brain injury survivors. The research found that while there was no difference in participation in support services, the peer mentor intervention group reported significantly greater improvement in caregiver stress at discharge and 30 days post discharge compared to the usual care group.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

36 caregivers of patients with ABI

Evidence Level

Controlled Trial

Key Findings

1
Peer mentoring significantly improved caregiver stress at discharge and 30 days post discharge compared to usual care.
2
There was no significant difference between groups in participation in family support services, potentially due to COVID-19 restrictions.
3
Reported depressive symptoms were lower for the intervention group, but change scores did not achieve statistical significance at discharge or 30-day follow-up.

Research Summary

The study evaluated the effectiveness of peer mentoring for caregivers of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) in encouraging participation in support services and reducing caregiver stress and depression. Results indicated that peer mentoring significantly improved caregiver stress at discharge and 30 days post discharge, but did not significantly impact participation in support services or depressive symptoms. The study suggests positive benefits from peer mentoring for caregivers of patients with ABI, warranting further investigation to confirm and expand understanding of its effects.

Practical Implications

Implement Peer Mentoring Programs

Hospitals and rehabilitation centers should consider implementing peer mentoring programs to support caregivers of patients with ABI, particularly to reduce caregiver stress.

Address Barriers to Support Service Participation

Healthcare providers should identify and address barriers, such as those imposed by pandemics, that prevent caregivers from participating in support services.

Further Research on Long-Term Effects

Future research should investigate the long-term effects of peer mentoring on caregiver well-being and patient outcomes, as well as explore the mechanisms by which peer mentoring reduces stress.

Study Limitations

1
The study did not achieve the desired sample size due to COVID-19 restrictions.
2
The rate of dropouts and those lost to follow-up was higher than expected.
3
The follow-up interval of 30 days post discharge may have been too brief to detect longer-term effects.

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