A qualitative evidence synthesis of communication partner raining: exploring the experiences of communication partners and people with acquired brain injury

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the experiences of adult communication partners (CPs) of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) who received communication training and, where reported, the experiences of individuals with ABI who attended or participated in the training.

Method: A qualitative evidence synthesis was conducted. Electronic searches were completed in CINAHL Ultimate, APA PsycInfo, APA PsycArticles, Medline, Embase, AMED, Scopus, NeuroBITE, and PubMed for studies published until August 2025. Included studies described an intervention directed at adult CPs where the program focus was on improving communicative participation for adults post-ABI. Relevant data were extracted and inductively synthesized using thematic synthesis. Studies were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Checklist, and confidence of the findings was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation and Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research.

Results: Nine articles met the eligibility criteria and reported on 66 people with ABI and 179 CPs. Three main analytic themes and nine subthemes were identified: (a) delivery of training—establish dyadic preferences for training, facilitate learning and doing, identify challenges and review engagement, and future steps; (b) making change in dyadic interactions—learning and practicing, and intention to do more and doing more; and (c) outcomes of change—conversation; emotions, relationships, and activities; and identity and independence.

Conclusions: There is a small but informative evidence base on participants' perspective of CP training in ABI. Most change occurred at conversation level with less change reported for emotions, relationships, and independence. Future qualitative studies need to provide in-depth exploration of the impact of training beyond conversation with a greater understanding of how change occurs. This will ensure that therapists deliver tailored training aligned with the needs of the individual.