“I think I’d get a lot out of something where my views count and I could help other people”- co-designing a family-project based intervention with people with lived experience of traumatic brain injury

Lynn Grayson; Marian Brady; Leanne Togher; Myzoon Ali

Just Accepted

This article has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It is in production and has not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

“I think I’d get a lot out of something where my views count and I could help other people”- co-designing a family-project based intervention with people with lived experience of traumatic brain injury

Lynn Grayson , Marian Brady , Leanne Togher, Myzoon Ali

Abstract

Background: Meaningful engagement with families who have lived experience of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is essential if interventions are to more closely align with their needs. Aim: To co-design a family-project-based intervention (family-PBI) with people with lived experience of TBI and explore participant experience. Method: People with cognitive-communication disorders following severe TBI, and their family members, were recruited from three Scottish brain injury services. The co-design teams participated in Microsoft Teams focus groups (October 2022 to January 2023). A range of adapted communication tools were developed to facilitate the co-design process and e-surveys about the co-design experience were completed. Qualitative data arising from the focus groups were analysed thematically and survey data were analysed descriptively. Results: Thirteen participants (six people following TBI, and seven family members) attended the co-design groups. The concept of a family-PBI was positively received and adaptions to content identified: inclusion of real life examples, family support resources and a toolkit of strategies. A range of perceived personal benefits of being involved in the co-design groups were also reported; peer support, feeling heard, helping others. Conclusion: People with cognitive–communication disorders following severe TBI, and their families, can make a valuable contribution to co-design research and benefit from the process. Following development of the adapted content, progression to the next design stage will involve feasibility testing of the co-designed family-PBI.

IB24128 Accepted 03 July 2025