Riding waves to improve functioning: a quantitative evaluation of a Surf Week in individuals with chronic phase brain injury with six months follow-up

PURPOSE: Environmental enrichment seems to enable people in the chronic phase of acquired brain injury (ABI) to experience new functional abilities and motor/coping strategies and consequently to become more adaptable which might prevent/reverse functional decline. This study describes the influence of a five-days Surf Week program on participants on physical function, self-efficacy, functional balance performance and self-perceived recovery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multiple-baseline single-case design was used. Adults participating in the Surf Week in chronic phase of ABI were eligible to participate. Participants completed a battery of tests monitoring physical function, self-efficacy, functional balance performance and self-perceived recovery. This battery was repeated 5 times over a 1-year period, two times pre-Surf Week, three times post-Surf Week. Visual data inspection with two non-overlap methods were used to determine if patients showed sustained improvement in outcomes post-intervention.

RESULTS: A moderate to strong indication for improvements on physical function, functional balance performance and self-perceived recovery exists till six months follow-up. No indication was observed on self-efficacy till six months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: A five-days Surf Week is a physically, cognitively and socially intensive stimulating activity that can positively challenge individuals after ABI and seems to improve physical functioning, functional balance performance and self-perceived recovery.