Exploring the Multidimensional Participation of Adults Living in the Community in the Chronic Phase following Acquired Brain Injury

Abstract

This exploratory study aimed to examine multiple aspects of the participation of adults in the chronic phase following acquired brain injury (ABI), considering different disability levels. Our study included 25 adults ≥6 months after ABI (predominantly stroke), living at home, without severe cognitive decline. Primary measures included the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (subjective participation) and the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4 Participation Index (objective participation). The results indicated subjective participation problems in all of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health participation domains. In addition, objective participation was reported as most limited in the areas of leisure and recreational activities, residence, and employment. Both subjective and objective participation profiles varied according to the disability level except for the social and leisure areas, which were found to be similar across all subgroups. However, only partial compatibility was found between the subjective and objective participation aspects. To conclude, our findings indicated that chronic ABI survivors report a variety of subjective and objective participation concerns that varied according to their disability levels. Moreover, the incongruity between the participation aspects suggests that the level of limitation may not necessarily correspond to the importance of a particular participation area. This highlights the need for comprehensive assessments to determine unique individual participation profiles in order to facilitate client-centered interventions supporting the rehabilitation of community-dwelling ABI survivors.