Editorial: Promoting participation following neurotrauma

This editorial discusses the importance of participation in major life areas for individuals recovering from neurotrauma, such as spinal cord injury (SCI) or acquired brain injury (ABI). Participation is a key goal of rehabilitation and reflects social connectedness and community engagement. The editorial highlights various studies that explore different facets of participation, including the perspectives of individuals with ABI, factors influencing participation after neurotrauma, and interventions designed to improve community engagement. Specific studies mentioned include the impact of depression on participation, the influence of the physical and social environment on individuals with SCI, and the effectiveness of interventions like telehealth-delivered walking programs and community-based exercise programs for TBI.

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  Synthesizing how people with ABI define participation can help identify important aspects for them, providing valuable information for clinicians and researchers.
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  Factors such as depression, physical and social environment, physical health, and psychological state influence participation of people following neurotrauma.
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  Changes in Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores and public vs. private insurance were predictors of change in social participation among people with moderate–severe TBI.