Activities and interim outcomes of a multi-site development project to promote cognitive support technology use and employment success among postsecondary students with traumatic brain injuries.

BACKGROUND This article describes the activities and interim outcomes of a multi-site development project called Project Career, designed to promote cognitive support technology (CST) use and employment success for college and university students with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). OBJECTIVES To obtain early intervention results from participants in Project Career's first 18 months of operation. METHODS Fifty-six students with TBI have participated to date across three implementation sites in Massachusetts, Ohio, and West Virginia, with 25 of these participants being military veterans. Descriptive analyses provide information regarding the participants, the barriers they face due to their TBI in obtaining a post-secondary education, and the impact services provided by Project Career have had to date in ameliorating those difficulties. Inferential statistical analyses provide preliminary results regarding program effectiveness. RESULTS Preliminary results indicate the program is encouraging students to use CST strategies in the form of iPads and cognitive enhancement applications (also known as 'apps'). Significant results indicate participants are more positive, independent, and social; participants have a more positive attitude toward technology after six months in the program; and participants reported significantly improved experiences with technology during their first six months in the program. CONCLUSION Participating students are actively preparing for their careers after graduation through a wide range of intensive vocational supports provided by project staff members.

[1]  Lyn S Turkstra,et al.  An electronic survey about college experiences after traumatic brain injury. , 2008, NeuroRehabilitation.

[2]  John M. Carroll,et al.  Creating a Design Science of Human-Computer Interaction , 1992, Interact. Comput..

[3]  Nina A. Sayer,et al.  Prevalence and Costs of Co-occurring Traumatic Brain Injury With and Without Psychiatric Disturbance and Pain Among Afghanistan and Iraq War Veteran VA Users , 2012, Medical care.

[4]  H. Emslie,et al.  Enhancing an appointment diary on a pocket computer for use by people after brain injury , 2001, International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptation.

[5]  R Laforce,et al.  Symptom Cluster Associated with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in University Students , 2001, Perceptual and motor skills.

[6]  Richard T. Roessler,et al.  Case Management and Rehabilitation Counseling: Procedures and Techniques , 1982 .

[7]  Angela L Sauer,et al.  Assistive technology effects on the employment outcomes for people with cognitive disabilities: A systematic review , 2010, Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology.

[8]  J. Gilchrist,et al.  Nonfatal traumatic brain injuries related to sports and recreation activities among persons aged ≤19 years--United States, 2001-2009. , 2011, MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report.

[9]  Jonathan J. Evans,et al.  Who makes good use of memory aids? Results of a survey of people with acquired brain injury , 2003, Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.

[10]  Matthew J Allsop,et al.  The engagement of children with disabilities in health-related technology design processes: Identifying methodology , 2010, Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology.

[11]  Marcia J. Scherer.  Assistive technologies and other supports for people with brain impairment , 2011 .

[12]  Bonnie Todis,et al.  Longitudinal Investigation of the Post—High School Transition Experiences of Adolescents With Traumatic Brain Injury , 2011, The Journal of head trauma rehabilitation.

[13]  Phyllis Levine,et al.  After High School: A First Look at the Postschool Experiences of Youth with Disabilities. A Report from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2). , 2005 .

[14]  Steven E. Stock,et al.  Technology Use and People with Mental Retardation , 2004 .

[15]  Matthew K Nock,et al.  Traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and current suicidal ideation among Iraq and Afghanistan U.S. veterans. , 2014, Journal of traumatic stress.

[16]  G. Coulter,et al.  Child and Adolescent Traumatic Brain Injury: Academic, Behavioural, and Social Consequences in the Classroom. , 2007 .

[17]  P. Wehman,et al.  Transition planning for youth with traumatic brain injury: findings from the National Longitudinal Transition Survey-2. , 2014, NeuroRehabilitation.