Achievement of client-centred goals by persons with acquired brain injury in comprehensive day treatment is associated with improved functional outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To study the relationship between goal achievement and vocational and independent living at discharge and 1-year follow-up in persons with acquired brain injury (ABI) participating in a Comprehensive Day Treatment (CDT) programme.

DESIGN

A retrospective review of longitudinal data.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty-four participants with ABI were included in the analyses. Personal, short-term and graduation goals were generated for each participant. A graduation goal was generated in each of four primary domains of the intervention (Orientation, Cognitive, Social Awareness and Communication). Participants who achieved all graduation goals at discharge were classified as 'goals met', while those who did not meet all goals were classified as 'goals unmet'.

RESULTS

Forty-eight percent of participants were classified into the goals met group and 52% were classified into the goals unmet group. There were no group differences at programme admission. A significantly greater percentage of individuals in the goals met group were both living independently and engaging in community-based employment at programme discharge than individuals in the goals unmet group. These group differences were maintained or exceeded at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that achievement of individualized CDT graduation goals is associated with greater levels of vocational and residential independence following acquired brain injury.