Putting the Pieces Together: Preliminary Efficacy of a Web-based Family Intervention for Children with Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective: To report preliminary efficacy data from a Web-based family problem-solving intervention to improve parent and child adaptation.

Method: Eight parents and six children with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who were injured more than 15 months earlier (M = 16 months) participated in the intervention. Families were given computers, Web cameras, and high-speed Internet access. Weekly videoconferences with the therapist were conducted after they completed self-guided Web exercises on problem-solving, communication, and antecedent behavior management strategies.

Results: Paired t tests comparing pre- and post-intervention scores revealed significant improvements in injury-related burden, parental psychiatric symptoms, depression, and parenting stress. There were also significant reductions in antisocial behaviors in the injured child, but not in self-reported depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that a computer-based intervention may successfully be used to improve both parent and child outcomes following TBI in children.