Overview
Difficulties in understanding and managing emotions may hinder recovery, rehabilitation, and participation in everyday life after acquired brain injury (ABI). Yet interventions targeting emotional adjustment after ABI remain limited.
The aim of the study is to investigate whether emotion-focused group therapy, based on Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), can support recovery after ABI. The intervention helps participants identify, process, and express emotions and needs related to their illness and changed life circumstances. Effects on emotional functioning, quality of life, activity, and participation will be assessed over time, alongside interviews exploring participants' experiences.
Description
Surviving an acquired brain injury (ABI) often means having to learn to live with changes in abilities, roles, and relationships. For some, this adaptation itself becomes a barrier to continued recovery. Difficulties in understanding and managing emotions such as grief, fear and anger may affect how a person relates to their altered functional capacity, engages in rehabilitation, and resumes everyday activities and roles. Despite this, rehabilitation after ABI is primarily focused on physical and cognitive consequences, while targeted treatment options addressing emotional adjustment remain limited.
The aim of the study is to investigate whether emotion-focused group therapy can improve this aspect of recovery after ABI. The intervention is based on Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) and helps participants identify, process, and express emotions and needs that have emerged in response to the illness and changes in their life circumstances. The effects of the treatment on emotional functioning, quality of life, activity, and participation will be assessed over time and complemented by interviews exploring participants' experiences of the treatment and of life after stroke.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Person of working age, primarily 18-65 years.
- Acquired brain injury.
- At least three months since the time of injury.
- Signs of significant psychological distress, such as mental health difficulties, vulnerability to mental health problems, or dysfunctional coping.
- Sufficient cognitive functioning and proficiency in Swedish to participate in group-based talk therapy.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current severe mental illness (e.g., psychosis or severe personality disorder).
- Active substance use disorder.
- Severe cognitive impairment that precludes participation in group-based talk therapy.
- Other medical conditions that, based on clinical assessment, may make participation inappropriate.
