Content and outcome of non-pharmacological rehabilitation for women with traumatic brain injury – a scoping review

OBJECTIVE: To identify and map evidence on the content and outcomes of non-pharmacological rehabilitation for women with traumatic brain injury. DESIGN: Scoping review. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: Women aged 18-65 years with traumatic brain injury of any severity. METHODS: The PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases were searched. Studies including individuals with nontraumatic brain injuries, text and opinion papers, conference abstracts, study protocols, and grey literature were excluded. Inclusion criteria were: either ≥ 50% of the sample were women, or outcome data distinguished women's results from the rest of the sample. A data-extraction form was used. Extracted data included specific details concerning the participants, context, study methods, and key findings. RESULTS: 41 studies with varying designs were included. None of the interventions described had a specific focus on women or women's needs. Community or outpatient settings dominated. The interventions were grouped into 3 main categories with underlying sub-categories - Alternative and complementary interventions, Training to restore functions, and Skills training to enhance cognitive functioning - with the latter category containing the most studies. CONCLUSION: The interventions described targeted a wide range of consequences from traumatic brain injury but without a clear gender perspective. Current rehabilitation models need to be developed to also include such a perspective.