Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Major
Nursing
Date of Defense
4-19-2022
Graduate Advisor
Susan L. Dean-Baar, College of Nursing
Committee
Susan L. Dean-Baar, R.N., Ph.D., FAAN, Chair
Anne F. Fish, R.N., Ph.D., FAHA, FAAN
Umit Tokac, Ph.D.
Yuanlu Sun, R.N., Ph.D.
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of a self-management support program for individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and their family caregivers.
Design: The study design was a two-group randomized control trial.
Method: A total of 73 mTBI patients and their primary family caregivers were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=36) receiving the self-management support program plus usual care or the control group (n=37) receiving only usual care. The self-management program was developed based on the Individual and Family Self-management theory, and relevant clinical practice guidelines. The program consisted of self-management support assessment at the hospital, and four weekly telephone follow-ups to the patients’ home to provide mTBI-related education, symptom monitoring and management, emotional support to individuals with mTBI tailored to the patients’ needs assessed. The primary outcomes including post-concussion symptom severity, individuals’ self-management behaviors, health-related quality of life, and family caregivers’ self-management support behaviors were measured at baseline and week 6 after hospital discharge. Chi-square and t-tests were used to compare demographic data at baseline. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare outcome variables.
Findings: There were no significant difference in post-concussion symptom severity between the intervention and the control groups, but the number of post-concussion symptoms. The intervention group had significantly greater individuals’ self-management behaviors, health-related quality of life, and caregivers’ self-management support behaviors than the control group (p < .001).
Conclusions: The self-management support program had beneficial effects on reducing the number of post-concussion symptom severity and improving individuals’ self-management behaviors, and health-related quality of life and caregivers’ self-management support behaviors.
Clinical Relevance: The scope of care for individuals with mTBI should be expanded beyond acute care settings to their home to promote proper self-management behaviors and improved outcomes, especially during the transition from hospital to home care.
Recommended Citation
Thaiudom, Ann, "The Effect of Self-Management Support Interventions for Adults with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Family Caregivers" (2022). Dissertations. 1164.
https://irl.umsl.edu/dissertation/1164