Evaluating the feasibility of a co-designed psychosocial recovery intervention for cyberscam survivors with acquired brain injury (ABI): a single-case experimental design.

PURPOSE: This pilot aimed to (1) assess the feasibility of "Smooth Sailing After Scams (SSAS)", a novel 10-session cyberscam psychosocial group intervention, (2) explore the sensitivity of outcome measures in detecting intervention response in people with ABI.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Of 23 screened adults with ABI, 10 were enrolled (Mage = 59.5, SD = 13.0). A concurrent multiple-baselines single-case design with randomised baseline lengths (2, 4 or 6 weeks) and 2-month follow-up was conducted. SSAS addressed cybersafety, finances, emotions, relationships and lifestyle. Groups were delivered online (n = 2) and in-person (n = 2). Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, attendance, satisfaction, adverse events, fidelity. Scam-related distress and coping were assessed thrice weekly (baseline), and weekly (intervention/follow-up). Secondary outcomes included cyberscam adjustment/engagement, cybersafety, mood, financial strategies, relationships, goal achievement. Data were analysed visually and statistically.

RESULTS

Eight participants completed SSAS, with no cancellations or adverse events; two remained on waitlist. Recruitment was lower than expected, but other feasibility indicators were strong. All avoided further scams and demonstrated meaningful progress in cyberscam adjustment between baseline and 2-month follow-up. Moderate effects were observed for reduced distress (4/8) and improved coping (3/8), maintained at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

SSAS was largely feasible and promising for supporting cyberscam adjustment. Findings will inform a future randomised-controlled trial.