The psychological and cognitive correlates of insight following ABI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploration of insight, executive function and psychological distress following acquired brain injury (ABI)
IRAS ID
194308
Contact name
Sophie Perry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bangor University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
Self-awareness in this context refers to the ability of the individual with an acquired brain injury (ABI) to recognise difficulties caused by their brain injury. Deficits in self-awareness are common following ABI and have been reported as causing the most impact on quality of life according to caregivers (Ergh, Rapport, Coleman & Hanks, 2002). Impairments in self-awareness can also impact on the individual’s ability to engage with rehabilitation (Malec & Moessner, 2000). It has been proposed that lower levels of self-awareness following ABI may be linked to difficulties in executive function which is an umbrella term for skills such as planning, organising, initiating, monitoring and changing behaviour. There have been mixed findings in the literature regarding the potential link between deficits in executive function and level of self-awareness (e.g. Bogod et al., 2003; Noe et al., 2005; O’Keefe et al., 2007). The current study aims to explore further the links between executive function using standardised, validated cognitive tests and self-awareness. Furthermore the study will explore whether there are any links with low mood or anxiety. It is important to further understand self-awareness as it can have such a negative impact on the person with the brain injury and their family. Better understanding may enable us to tailor rehabilitation more effectively as reduced self-awareness can lead to poor engagement with rehabilitation (Malec & Moessner, 2000). Patients attending the North Wales Brain Injury Service (NWBIS) with an ABI that occurred at least one year previously would be eligible to participate. Participants will likely be enrolled in the study for up to 12 months and participation would include completing cognitive tests (paper and pencil type tests designed to measure thinking and reasoning skills) and questionnaires that should take no more than two hours.
REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
16/WA/0085
Date of REC Opinion
21 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion