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Journal of the Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment

Brain Impairment

Brain Impairment

Brain Impairment addresses topics related to the aetiology, epidemiology, treatment and outcomes of brain impairment with a particular focus on the implications for functional status, participation, rehabilitation and quality of life. Read more about the journalMore.

Editors-in-ChiefJennifer Fleming and Grahame Simpson

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Brain Impairment is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 28 April 2025

IB24092Psychological interventions for externalising behaviours following paediatric traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and clinical practice recommendations

Benjamin D. Diplock 0000-0001-8020-7228, Alexey Urusov, Alisa Torchia, Gary R. Turner and Mary E. Desrocher
 

Youth with a traumatic brain injury are at increased risk of externalising behaviours and disorders if untreated, negatively impacting their quality of life. Yet over 50% of these youth do not receive needed psychological services, and evidence-based treatments to reduce externalising behaviours are unknown. This review outlines evidence-based recommendations that may (a) help clinicians make evidence-based treatment decisions, (b) outline gaps for future research and (c) provide promise for a population with an increased risk of aggression and antisocial behaviour if untreated.

Published online 28 April 2025

IB24125Co-design and co-production of ‘Tools for ageing well with traumatic brain injury’

Christina L. Ekegren 0000-0002-7656-6209, Candice McBain 0000-0003-1277-2211, Libby Callaway 0000-0002-3127-6312, Liz Gill, Grahame Simpson, Grainne Cruickshank, Mohit Arora and Ian D. Cameron
 

A white-haired, aged man pointing happily at an array of items above his head, which represent a healthy life.

Despite their complex health needs, there are limited targeted resources to assist people with traumatic brain injury to age well. This study used co-design and co-production methods within a five-stage design-thinking process to develop a new resource called ‘Tools for ageing well with traumatic brain injury’. This resource will help people with brain injury and their families/carers to proactively plan for ageing well with traumatic brain injury. Image credit Ingrid Hopper using adapted photograph by Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock.com.

This article belongs to the collection: Collaboration, Co-production, & Co-design: Moving Ahead in Brain Impairment.

Published online 08 April 2025

IB24038The role of illness perceptions in post-concussive symptoms in the chronic phase after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)

Fleur Vermeer, Nikita Frankenmolen 0000-0002-6889-4552, Tobias Coppes, Janneke Schuurman and Dirk Bertens
 

Maladaptive illness perceptions are known to contribute to the development of persistent symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury or concussion. This study showed that specific perceptions (e.g. expecting a long duration of symptoms, lack of understanding the illness, emotional impact of the illness) predict the severity of post-concussive symptoms and anxiety and depression symptoms in the chronic phase (>3 months–several years) post-mild traumatic brain injury. These findings underline the importance of psychoeducation and psychotherapeutic interventions in this population.

Published online 28 March 2025

IB24030Impact of communication modalities on autonomy and social participation of persons with locked-in syndrome

Marie-Christine Rousseau 0000-0002-8065-8667, Margaux Hautin, Véronique Blandin, Frédéric Pellas, Pascal Auquier, Karine Baumstarck and Sébastien Lazzarotto
 

Communication is a key point in the preservation of autonomy of locked-in syndrome persons. Only half of locked-in syndrome persons benefited from communication skills evaluation. Electronic communication tools enhance an LIS person’s social participation.

Limited research exists on positive experiences of informal caregivers, especially those caring for traumatic brain injury survivors. We aimed to explore these positive changes and whether caregivers experience ‘post-traumatic growth’. Ten male caregivers completed an interview and questionnaire involving a post-traumatic growth measure, revealing deepened personal connections, strengthened spiritual beliefs, personal growth/resilience, transformed life priorities and purpose, improved coping mechanisms and emergence of new opportunities. Findings suggest growth among caregivers, warranting further research to inform targeted interventions.

Published online 06 February 2025

IB24064Convergent, discriminant, and known-groups validity of the Behavioural Assessment Screening Tool (BAST) in chronic traumatic brain injury

Shannon Juengst 0000-0003-4709-545X, Brittany Wright, Leia Vos, Gabriel Rodriguez, Michael Conley and Lauren Terhorst
 

Many people with traumatic brain injury have changes in their emotions, thinking, and behaviour that can affect their lives for many years after injury. Managing these symptoms requires valid tools to track them. Our results support the validity of the Behavioural Assessment Screening Tool to measure these symptoms after traumatic brain injury, so the Behavioural Assessment Screening Tool could be used to help determine when people with traumatic brain injury might benefit from intervention.

Published online 30 January 2025

IB24081Views of speech pathology educators on a learning resource for cognitive-communication disorders: a user survey of TBIBank Grand Rounds

Elise Bogart 0000-0003-2398-5036, Joanne Steel, Emma Power, Melissa Brunner 0000-0001-6823-5189, Sarah Tran, Davida Fromm, Brian MacWhinney and Leanne Togher
 

‘TBIBank Grand Rounds’ is an online resource with information about how brain injury can affect the way someone communicates. We asked speech pathology educators to tell us what they think about TBIBank Grand Rounds. The educators gave positive feedback overall but also told us some helpful ways we can improve the resource. For example, we added quick links to the menu. The updated resource may help improve speech pathology care.

Published online 30 January 2025

IB24051‘Would you take a drug for this?’: attitudes by individuals with traumatic brain injury towards medication to improve social functioning

Sandra Reeder 0000-0001-7942-0179, Katherine Sewell, Natasha A. Lannin 0000-0002-2066-8345, Madeleine J. Smith and Bridgette D. Semple
 

Many people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) report problems with social functioning. We explore their perceptions of social functioning and their attitudes towards medication that could improve social outcomes. We found people with TBI experienced many changes in social participation post-TBI and have a strong interest in improving social functioning.

Published online 03 January 2025

IB24032Efficiency of telerehabilitation on subacute stroke ambulation: a matched case-control study

Alejandro García-Rudolph 0000-0003-0853-8334, Mark Andrew Wright, Claudia Teixidó, Eloy Opisso, Gunnar Cedersund and Josep Medina
 

Independent ambulation is a crucial functional outcome for stroke survivors, justifying a substantial number of inpatient rehabilitation admissions. Telerehabilitation offers a feasible alternative to in-person rehabilitation; however, evidence for its effectiveness is lacking, especially regarding ambulation. Therefore, we compared the response of two groups of patients: one following traditional in-person rehabilitation and the other following telerehabilitation. Our results encourage the use of telerehabilitation for improving ambulation.

Changes in behaviour following a severe acquired brain injury can significantly impair a person’s ability to engage in meaningful activities and fulfil important life roles. The scoping review provided evidence that interventions by allied health professionals can help mitigate behavioural challenges. However, future efforts should place greater emphasis on ensuring that these improvements lead to increased participation in daily activities, ultimately enhancing the quality of life.

Published online 05 December 2024

IB24025Depression and anxiety at 1- and 12-months post ischemic stroke: methods for examining individual change over time

Suzanne Barker-Collo 0000-0002-8659-0202, Rita Krishnamurthi, Balakrishnan Nair, Anna Ranta, Jeroen Douwes and Valery Feigin
 

Study of mood after stroke often focuses on depression; however, anxiety is also common. Here, we found that of those with ischemic stroke about 13% had anxiety, 3.7–4.5% had depression and 8–10% had both at 1- and 12-months after stroke. Most of those with anxiety at 12-months had neither depression nor anxiety at 1 month.

Published online 03 December 2024

IB24021Falls on an inpatient brain injury rehabilitation unit … What are the consequences?

Kathryn Marshall 0000-0001-6971-1773, Janelle Griffin, Joshua Knowles, Shannon Galletly, Freyr Patterson and Ryan Bell
 

Falls in hospital can have impacts on individuals and the entire health system. For people with a brain injury, falls can be particularly harmful with over half of people who fall in hospital experiencing some harm. Falls prevention needs to not only focus on the prevention of falls but also on harm minimisation.

Published online 03 December 2024

IB24035Association between adequate protein intake and quadriceps quantity and quality during rehabilitation in people with subacute stroke

Shu Tanaka 0000-0003-3167-7279, Mizue Suzuki, Yosuke Kimura, Shingo Koyama, Hiroaki Masuda, Iwao Kojima, Katsumi Suzukawa, Kenichiro Takasugi and Minoru Yamada
 

We investigated the association between protein intake and quadriceps quantity and quality on the paretic and non-paretic sides during rehabilitation in people with subacute stroke. The adequate protein intake group showed significantly greater improvements in paretic-side quadriceps muscle quantity. Conversely, no differences in quadriceps quantity on the non-paretic side and quadriceps quality on both sides were observed between the adequate and inadequate protein intake groups.

Published online 11 November 2024

IB24008Feasibility of accelerometry in a self-directed upper limb activity program of a subacute setting with stroke survivors

Tamara Tse 0000-0002-7136-5037, Yvonne Y. K. Mak-Yuen, Wesley Young and Susan Darzins 0000-0003-1852-3566
 

Wearable devices, such as accelerometers, offer new ways to assess arm movement in individuals recovering from a stroke. This study, conducted with 12 stroke survivors, aimed to investigate the practicality, acceptability, and limited effectiveness of using accelerometers in a self-directed arm rehabilitation program. While most participants found the wearable devices feasible, one-third reported discomfort, suggesting the need to consider this aspect in planning future studies.

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

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Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Research has shown it may take ~15 years for evidence to have an impact on clinical practice. Brain injury clinicians can actively contribute to closing this gap by providing invaluable insights into potential challenges faced and ensuring that the design and implementation approaches address organisational context. This collection of papers outlines the processes, frameworks, barriers, and facilitators of effective clinical implementation. They showcase high-quality examples of clinical implementation projects in a range of populations, settings, and cultures across the lifespan.

Collection Editors
Dana Wong (LaTrobe University, Australia)
Natasha Lannin (Monash University, Australia)
Sharon Kramer (Monash University, Australia)

Last Updated: 29 Oct 2024

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