Posted on Sept. 12: Cognitive intervention could transform lives

For some children with a brain injury, remembering the rules to a game or following simple instructions is not easy.

Researchers at CanChild are hoping to prove that a recently developed cognitive intervention will help children with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) handle the social and academic problems they encounter when they return to school.

A one-year pilot study will examine the effectiveness of a strategy-based occupational therapy intervention with children who are 7 to 14 years and experiencing difficulties at home and school.

The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (ONF) is awarding CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research at McMaster, $79,078 for the Cognitive Intervention for Children with Traumatic Brain Injury study.

If proven effective, the intervention could be of benefit to school-aged children who don't qualify for funding for private therapy because their injury did not result from an automobile accident.

Cheryl Missiuna, an investigator at CanChild, worked with Angela Mandich from The University of Western Ontario and other colleagues to develop the Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP) intervention. CO-OP teaches the children a problem-solving approach to difficulties they have with everyday tasks.

“It has the potential for long-term change. If the intervention works, it could transform lives, it's an exciting opportunity,” says Missiuna.

In September, 10 children with a mild to moderate TBI will begin the 10-week intervention. Many of the participating children will be experiencing behavioural and cognitive problems approximately eight months after their injury.

“We will look at what the issues are for the child and then teach them strategies that they can use in multiple situations and environments,” says Missiuna.

Missiuna says they have proven that CO-OP works with other populations of children with disabilities, and the team is looking forward to seeing how it will work with children with a TBI.

The funding is part of the ONF's 2002 grant review research awards. Researchers across Ontario are receiving $1.2 million from the ONF for spinal cord and traumatic brain injury research following a competitive review process.

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For some children with a brain injury, remembering the rules to a game or following simple instructions is not easy. <p><br />
<br />
Researchers at <a href="http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/canchild/">CanChild</a> are hoping to prove that a recently developed cognitive intervention will help children with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) handle the social and academic problems they encounter when they return to school.<p><br />
<br />
A one-year pilot study will examine the effectiveness of a strategy-based occupational therapy intervention with children who are 7 to 14 years and experiencing difficulties at home and school. <p><br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.onf.org/">Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation</a> (ONF) is awarding CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research at McMaster, $79,078 for the Cognitive Intervention for Children with Traumatic Brain Injury study. <p><br />
<br />
If proven effective, the intervention could be of benefit to school-aged children who don&#039;t qualify for funding for private therapy because their injury did not result from an automobile accident. <p><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/rehab/faculty/members/missiuna.html">Cheryl Missiuna</a>, an investigator at CanChild, worked with Angela Mandich from The University of Western Ontario and other colleagues to develop the Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP) intervention. CO-OP teaches the children a problem-solving approach to difficulties they have with everyday tasks.<p><br />
<br />
"It has the potential for long-term change. If the intervention works, it could transform lives, it&#039;s an exciting opportunity," says Missiuna.<p><br />
<br />
In September, 10 children with a mild to moderate TBI will begin the 10-week intervention. Many of the participating children will be experiencing behavioural and cognitive problems approximately eight months after their injury. <p><br />
<br />
"We will look at what the issues are for the child and then teach them strategies that they can use in multiple situations and environments," says Missiuna.<p><br />
<br />
Missiuna says they have proven that CO-OP works with other populations of children with disabilities, and the team is looking forward to seeing how it will work with children with a TBI.<p><br />
<br />
The funding is part of the ONF&#039;s 2002 grant review research awards. Researchers across Ontario are receiving $1.2 million from the ONF for spinal cord and traumatic brain injury research following a competitive review process.

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