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

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.