Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of Resource Facilitation on Community Participation and Vocational Outcome Following Brain Injury

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of resource facilitation (RF) on return to work, participation in home and community activities, and depression. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two people with acquired brain injury (mean age = 43 years; mean education = 13.3 years). DESIGN: A prospective randomized controlled trial of RF compared with standard care. All participants received standard follow-up services, but participants in the RF group were also assigned a resource facilitator to assist them in returning to work. RESULTS: Participation increased significantly for both groups (F = 60.65, P < .0001), but the interaction between groups and time demonstrated greater improvement for the RF group relative to controls (F = 9.11, P < .007). Also, 64% of the RF group was employed at follow-up compared with 36% of the control group (Wald-Wolfkowitz z = -3.277, P < .0001). No significant differences were found between groups on measures of depression. CONCLUSION: Resource facilitation services that have a clear focus on return to work may have a substantial impact on participation and unemployment after brain injury.