None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to test effectiveness of peer mentoring for improving participation, health and well-being outcomes following TBI compared to usual care, and determine key process variables relating to context and implementation to underpin an evidence-based framework for ongoing service provision. Peer mentors are those who have successfully faced a particular experience and can provide good counsel and empathic understanding to help others faced with a similar experience. Mentoring relationships are distinct from ‘professional’ support and offer credibility, mutuality of experience, acceptance, and normalisation. Peer mentoring interventions have demonstrated positive effects on health and social outcomes for both the mentee and mentor across a diversity of populations. Our feasibility study found peer mentoring after TBI is highly acceptable to both mentors and mentees and has the potential to impact health and wellbeing outcomes for both mentees and mentors.
Interventions
The peer mentoring intervention: eight face to face mentoring sessions spread over five months. The session duration would be approximately one hour. Core components: getting to know the mentor; exploring hopes for meaningful participation; exploring barriers and facilitators; mentor supported activities; reflection on supported activities; planning for the future. The mentoring sessions may take place in a rehabilitation facility, at the mentee's home or at another mutually agreed location. Ho
The peer mentoring intervention: eight face to face mentoring sessions spread over five months. The session duration would be approximately one hour. Core components: getting to know the mentor; exploring hopes for meaningful participation; exploring barriers and facilitators; mentor supported activities; reflection on supported activities; planning for the future. The mentoring sessions may take place in a rehabilitation facility, at the mentee's home or at another mutually agreed location. How and when these activities are enacted will be tailored to the mentees unique psychosocial context, and mentoring relationship. Our feasibility study findings would suggest the strength of this approach is in the mentor bringing their shared experience to support and enable the mentee to re-engage with life after TBI. Mentors training: mentors will attend a two day interactive workshop held over two separate weeks which will draw on their own recovery experiences and develop their strengths and skills. Workshop topics will include the role of the mentor, the core components of the intervention, the mentoring relationship, managing difficult and /or crisis situations and safety protocols. Mentors will be supported by the local service coordinator, who has experience in neurorehabilitation. They will keep in contact with the mentors through out the intervention, following-up via phone call after each mentor session and through the quarterly group debriefing sessions.
Sponsors
AUT University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Other
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
16 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Mentees: People will be eligible to take part if they have moderate or severe TBI (Initial Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 13 and/or post-traumatic amnesia duration of more than one hour) or people with mild TBI experiencing persistent difficulties (>6 months post injury) impacting on their participation in ways that are important to them and are: • up to 3 years post-injury; • at least 16 years old; • able to communicate with the mentor and researcher (with or without assistance) • capable of giving informed consent (or assent if under 18 years of age) • living within one of the three study regions (Auckland, Gisborne, and Northland) Mentors: People will be eligible to apply for the role of mentor if they are: • 18 years of age or older • up to six years post TBI • at least one-year post discharge from inpatient rehabilitation • satisfied with their current level of participation, health and well-being • able to communicate and engage in intervention delivery • living within one of the three study regions (Auckland, Gisborne, and Northland) • available during the peer mentoring intervention period
Exclusion criteria
Mentees will be excluded if 1) their medical situation is considered unstable and could severely limit participation in mentoring activities or 2) they are enrolled in other intervention trials Mentors will be excluded if they 1) experience persistent drug or alcohol difficulties, 2) have a recent history of violence, 3) criminal record checks indicate significant potential ongoing risk, and/or 4) they are experiencing severe mental illness that would impact their ability to fulfil mentor roles and responsibilities.
Outcome results
None listed