Three-year follow-up results of a residential community reintegration program for patients with chronic acquired brain injury

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes of a residential community reintegration program 3 years after treatment on independent living, societal participation, emotional well-being, and quality of life in patients with chronic acquired brain injury and psychosocial problems hampering societal participation. DESIGN: A follow-up assessment 3 years after treatment was compared with the 1-year follow-up assessment in a prospective cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary rehabilitation center for acquired brain injury. PARTICIPANTS: Of the 67 patients assessed at the 1-year follow-up, 63 subjects (94%; 42 men; mean age at admission to treatment 24.7y; mean time postonset 5.1y) were available at the 3-year follow-up and taken into account in the analyses. INTERVENTION: A structured residential treatment program directed at improving independence in domestic life, work, leisure time, and social interactions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Community Integration Questionnaire, Employability Rating Scale, living situation, school, work situation, work hours, Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated (5 scales). RESULTS: There were no significant differences for any of the outcome measures between the 1-year and 3-year follow-up assessment. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the established significant and clinically relevant improvements after a residential community reintegration program remain stable in the long term