The Model of Occupational Self-Efficacy:A Contemporary Model to Enhance Work Skills, Cognitive and Emotional Skills of Individuals With Brain Injury—A Pilot Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

Background Returning to work for survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains problematic despite them completing treatment programs. Objective The aim of the study was to determine whether the work skills and general functioning of brain injury survivors improve after participating in a treatment program that utilizes the Model of Occupational Self‐Efficacy (MOOSE) as a framework compared with usual treatment. Participants Twenty‐eight brain injury survivors with a mild to severe brain injury engaged in the study. Method A randomized control design was used in the study. The Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire (WORQ), Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) were used to investigate whether the work skills, cognitive functioning, and anxiety and depression symptoms of individuals improve after participating in an experimental treatment. Results The study suggests that 56% of the individuals in the MOOSE (experimental group) had higher scores on the WORQ when compared to individuals that received usual treatment. Furthermore, 64% of individuals in the MOOSE (experimental group) had higher scores on the RUDAS when compared to individuals who received usual treatment. Regarding the Beck depression test, 64% of individuals in the MOOSE (experimental group) had a decrease in depression symptoms when compared to individuals who received usual treatment. The Beck anxiety test revealed that 57% of individuals in the MOOSE (experimental group) had a decrease in anxiety symptoms when compared to individuals who received usual treatment. The findings of the WORQ, RUDAS, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory were not statistically significant. Finally, 57.1% of individuals who received the MOOSE intervention returned to competitive employment compared to 28.6% of individuals who received usual treatment. Conclusion Although the findings were not statistically significant, the experimental intervention (MOOSE) did reveal an improvement in work skills and improvement in cognitive skills as well as a reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety for TBI survivors.