Feasibility of a self-management group intervention in the sub-acute phase after moderate to severe traumatic injuries

Unmet healthcare needs are common in the chronic phase after moderate to severe traumatic injuries. Self-management (SM) support interventions are recommended to complement traditional rehabilitation services. However, evidence supporting SM support interventions delivered sub-acutely to improve self-efficacy and alleviate long-term injury consequences is limited. A manualized group-based self-management program titled SElf Management PrOgram (SEMPO), has been developed and tailored to moderate and severe traumatic injuries (e.g. head injury, spinal cord injury, single and multi-trauma). SEMPO consists of 8 weekly sessions and includes self-management ingredients such as educational material on injury consequences, training in strategies and problem solving related to injury management, and goal setting and action planning for engaging in adaptive health behavior. It is delivered in the sub-acute phase of recovery to groups of 4–7 participants. SEMPO aims to promote confidence in managing injury related consequences, supporting resilient recoveries and optimize outcomes. Feasibility evaluation of the intervention is needed before commencing a full-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating the effect of SEMPO. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the intervention and the study procedures in the intervention arm for an upcoming RCT. A one-group pre-post study assessing the feasibility of the intervention arm was conducted. Standardized follow-up assessments were administered immediately after the intervention and after three months. Feasibility outcomes included consent rate, drop-out, attendance rates, intervention acceptability, fidelity of delivery, assessment methods and technical feasibility of program delivery by telehealth. Of 25 eligible patients, 11 consented to participate; nine males and two females, mean age was 47 years. Only one participant dropped out of the study. The intervention had an attendance rate of 89%. All participants reported that they would recommend the program to others, while emphasizing the importance of peer support, health literacy, and normalization of post-injury experiences. Assessment methods were deemed highly feasible. However, the telehealth delivery encountered technical issues that compromised protocol adherence. The SEMPO program is potentially feasible, particularly for traumatic injuries characterized by traumatic brain injury and multiple injuries involving the face and upper and lower extremities. However, modifications are needed to optimize recruitment procedures and address technical challenges to ensure protocol adherence in the telehealth delivery, prior to initiating a full-scale RCT. ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT06093074), Registration Date: 16.10.2023.