Optimizing acquired brain injury rehabilitation: The power of Therapeutic Recreation

From onset of acquired brain injury, individuals experience lifelong changes including marginalization, and barriers to holistic long-term rehabilitation support to regain their quality of life. This research project emerged from individuals with lived experience who express their desire to be heard in rehabilitation including Therapeutic Recreation (TR). The research question “What are the long-term recovery needs of people living with an ABI and in what ways can TR optimize interventions to support these needs?” Using purposive and convenience sampling, four TR practitioners, with two years work experience and seven individuals with ABI (ages 19–76) with three weeks rehabilitation, participated in semi-structured interviews; recorded and transcribed via Zoom or in person. Data analysis revealed three themes: the lived experience of individuals with an ABI, the experience of rehabilitation, and the importance of ethical practices. First, the lived experience of ABI highlights the diverse factors shaping post-injury identity including socioeconomic status, mental health, accessing health care, and self-awareness. Second, rehabilitation emphasize Therapeutic Recreation ‘s effective person-centered role in fostering social connections, physical health, and emotional recovery. Third, ethical practices are critical including reflexivity, rapport building, informed consent, and collaborative decision-making, creating a safe and trusting environment.
Poster proposal submission was sponsored by Dr. Colleen Reid, (Therapeutic Recreation) and was presented at the Coquitlam campus on April 8, 2025, for Student Research Days 2025.