A pilot RCT assessing feasibility of a single values-based versus standard goal-Setting session for community dwellers with acquired brain injury (ABI)

A pilot randomised controlled trial examined the feasibility (i.e., intervention demand, acceptability and initial efficacy) of a single-session (T1) and two-week follow-up (T2) values-based versus standard goal-setting intervention for ABI community dwellers. Twenty four participants (12 in each group) with ABI were recruited, 14 of whom were male (age: <i>M</i> = 61, <i>SD</i> = 9.3). Retention rate was at 92%, and both interventions were rated as acceptable (mean ratings ≥ 80%). Improvements in the primary outcome of wellbeing were greater in the values group (<i>d</i>_ppc2 = 0.30), while no differences between groups were found for goal attainment or memory of goals. Regarding attitudes towards goals measured at T1, motivation was higher for the values group with a small-to-medium effect size (<i>d</i> = -0.31), whereas confidence and anticipated pleasure from working on the goal were higher for the standard goal-setting group with small-to-medium (<i>d</i> = 0.28) and small (<i>d</i> = 0.17) effect sizes, respectively. The study found a modest improvement for the wellbeing of ABI community dwellers when their goals were embedded in values, while memory of goals and goal achievement was similar across both groups. Study limitations and future recommendations are discussed, and replication is required.