Authors

  1. Rotondi, Armando PhD
  2. Sinkule, Jennifer BA
  3. Spring, Michael PhD

Article Content

Objectives: The aim of this project was to assess the feasibility of providing in-home adjunctive and supportive services to persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their families via a Web site. Hypotheses: The primary questions were the following: Would female significant others (FSOs) use the Web site to obtain support and information, react favorably to using the Web site for these purposes, have nonconfrontational & supportive discussions, continue to use WE CARE for the entire 6 months, and find the Web site valuable even after 6 months of use? Participants: Nineteen families were provided with access to the Web site intervention for 6 months. Participants were adult women who were the significant others of adult males who had a moderate to severe TBI. Those who needed it were provided with a computer and Internet service in their homes. Methods: Subjects rated the value and ease of use of the Web site. In addition, each subject's usage of the Web site was automatically tracked. This included each page visited, the time of day, and the amount of time spent on a page. Results: Female significant others found the Web site to be valuable and easy to use, and used it throughout the 6-month period. The online support group was the most used and valued module. We conclude that it is possible to identify areas of heightened need following TBI and develop interventions to address those needs. Conclusions: These findings suggest that family caregivers will use Web-based interventions to help meet their needs for social support, information, and guidance, following the return home of persons with TBI.

 

REFERENCE

 

1. Rotondi AJ, Sinkule J, Spring M. An interactive Web-based intervention for persons with TBI and their families use and evaluation by female significant others. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2005;20(2):145-157.