SynthesisHealth expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy2025
The Experiences of Social Connection and Isolation in Adults With Acquired Brain Injury: A Qualitative Systematic Review and Metasynthesis.
Synthesis in Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- The Experiences of Social Connection and Isolation in Adults With Acquired Brain Injury: A Qualitative Systematic Review and Metasynthesis.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2025Pooled it
- Inter-related mechanisms of engagement in adaptive yoga for acquired brain injury: a qualitative implementation mapping study.Frontiers in health services · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundDuring recovery from an acquired brain injury (ABI), social isolation is a common experience that can lead to adverse outcomes. Although social connection is known to play a critical role in alleviating these effects, the ways in which ABI survivors experience and prioritise connection and isolation are not well understood. This review aims to understand how these concepts are perceived, identify the valued outcomes, and examine the social contexts that shape these experiences.
methodPeer-reviewed qualitative articles published before January 2025 were identified from a search of six databases and additional complementary searches. These encompassed the terms 'acquired brain injury', 'social connection and/or isolation' and 'qualitative'. Of 4651 papers identified, 37 were included. Each paper was categorised for the analytic process according to its relevance, resonance and rigour, with rigour assessed using the JBI standardised critical appraisal instrument. Thomas and Harden's 'thematic synthesis' framework was used to generate a metasynthesis rooted in a critical realist philosophy.
resultsSocial isolation is a widespread issue characterised by loss, which originates from ABI-related impairments that hinder social engagement. Communication difficulties, stigma and other structural barriers exacerbate feelings of disconnection. Key elements of social connection included understanding, acceptance, emotional support, reciprocity and shared experiences. Relationships that embodied these qualities provided a sense of belonging, security and purpose, which encouraged individuals to redefine their identity and values, alleviating feelings of isolation.
conclusionThis review demonstrates that social connection and isolation post-ABI stem from a variety of complex interpersonal and environmental factors. Future research should prioritise measuring and enhancing meaningful connections by focusing on relational quality, accessibility, and reducing systemic barriers, including stigma. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The project's focus was developed in consultation with members of the public who have lived experience with an ABI. A PPI member also supported the entire review process.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.