Improvement of Communication Skills after Traumatic Brain Injury: The Efficacy of the Cognitive Pragmatic Treatment Program using the Communicative Activities of Daily Living

Abstract

Objective

The pragmatic impairment often characterizing individuals after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) significantly limits their independence, preventing social participation. Rehabilitation programs aim to improve the impaired capacities to help participants communicate effectively, increasing their self-perceived life quality. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of the Cognitive Pragmatic Treatment (CPT) in improving communication abilities after TBI, thus enabling better management of communication activities in daily living.

Method

Nineteen individuals with TBI in a post-acute phase completed the CPT, a group-based training program designed to improve pragmatic abilities. Pre- and post-training, participants were administered the Communication Activities of Daily Living (CADL-2), and the equivalent forms of the Assessment Battery for Communication (ABaCo).

Results

Comparison of pre- and post-training performance showed an overall improvement in pragmatic abilities. Post-training, participants scored higher in communication skills on both the CADL-2 and ABaCo, with such scores remaining constant at a 3-month follow–up assessment.

Conclusions

This study showed that the CPT was effective in improving the participants’ communicative abilities. The possibility that the benefits of the CPT may generalize to everyday communicative interactions is discussed.

Rehabilitation, Traumatic brain injury, Pragmatics, Functional communication, Language, Theory of mind, Executive functions