Alleviation of carer strain during the use of the Neuropage device by people with acquired brain injury.

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of a paging system, Neuropage®, in compensating for memory and planning dysfunctions among people with acquired brain injury (ABI, mainly stroke and traumatic brain injury). We here investigated the degree to which this efficacy is accompanied by a reduced experience of strain among their carers.

Method: In a cross-over design, carers of 99 people with ABI completed a questionnaire concerning strain resulting from the injury at three time-points, before the use of Neuropage®, at the end of a 7 week-period of use, and, for one subgroup, a further seven weeks after withdrawal of Neuropage®.

Results: There were significant reductions in strain reported by carers following the period of Neuropage® use (Cohen’s d = 0.3 – 0.4). This was true whether the carer was a spouse or a parent. The reduced strain among carers continued even after withdrawal of Neuropage®.

Conclusion: The efficacy of the paging system for people with ABI appears to result in a reduced strain for their carers.