Scheduled for Research Consortium Poster Session: Thematic Motor Behavior and Special Populations Posters, Friday, March 16, 2007, 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall Poster Area I


Effect of HANDLE (Holistic Approach to Neurodevelopment and Learning Efficiency) on Individuals With Brain Injury

Susan P. Gustafson and N. Kay Covington, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL

Rehabilitation programs are almost non-existent for individuals who are in a chronic phase of brain injury. Until recently, it was traditionally believed that these individuals would not make functional gains beyond one to two years post injury. The purpose was to examine individuals with a brain injury and determine how the intervention of HANDLE (Holistic Approach To Neurodevelopment and Learning Efficiency) may have improved the mental and functional domains of psychological symptomatology, motor skills and independence in daily living. Methods: Three males and two females (M=37±7.4 yr), who were in a chronic phase of brain injury volunteered to participate in this study. The years post injury ranged from four to 13 years. An informed consent, approved by the SIUE Institutional Review Board, was completed by the participants and witnessed by their caregivers. The procedure consisted of preliminary and a six-week neurobehavioral assessments, using the Learning Foundation Inventory (HANDLE Institute, 2002) performed by a certified Practitioner of HANDLE. A motor skills assessment using the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) (Carr et al., 1985), and a self-awareness evaluation using the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS) (Center for Outcome Measurement in Brain Injury, 2002) were implemented pretherapy, at 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. A measure of daily affect using the Physical Activity Affect Scale (PAAS) (Lox et al., 2000) was done before and after each therapy session. Participants performed HANDLE therapeutic activities, which were specific for each participant. The therapy was performed six days a week for twelve weeks. Examples of therapeutic activities included Face Tapping, Ball Back Roll, Side to Side Tip, Quarter Turn Roll, Joint Tapping, and Seated Cross Crawl. Results: Motor skill improvements were seen in four out of the five participants with a large effect size of 1.54. Small to moderate improvements were seen in independence in daily living. And, results of the PAAS data reveal positive changes in daily affect for each participant. Conclusion: Results from this study strongly indicate that HANDLE therapy may lead to improvements in motor skills, psychological symptomatology, and activities of daily living in individuals with brain injury.
Keyword(s): adapted physical activity, alternative programming

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