Table 7 Recommendations for important areas to maintain or modifications of the groups, based on qualitative data

Group factors

Perceived benefits and prerequisites for group success

• Sharing group materials ahead of each session

• Providing a summary of session content following session end

• Having a variety of activities suitable for different types of ABI

• Group activities were mood-enhancing

• Learning from other group members

• Day-before and day-of reminders of sessions

Suggestions for improvement

• Paced information

• Time limits for group discussion relative to session content

• Prioritise group discussion

• More discussion of ABI

• Dedicated time for group members to interact without facilitator

• Adaptable materials for different issues for different ABIs

Study factors

Perceived benefits and prerequisites for group success

• Wide range of relevant strategies

• Learning from other members’ activities

• Sharing personal interests with others

• Dedicated transport support/reimbursement for in-person sessions

• Regular breaks

• Remote delivery

Suggestions for improvement

• Incorporate more explicit session material on sharing ABI story

• Reduce content per session, or

• Increase session duration

• Increase session duration

• Clearer rationale for potential benefits of group

• Explicit discussion about mood

• Increase minimum group size

• Enhance group cohesion across variety of member characteristics

• Dedicated tech support for online sessions

• Pre-select participants with similar characteristics/ issues

Facilitator factors

Perceived benefits and prerequisites for group success

• Sufficient training delivering session materials

• Empathic response when activities were not completed

• Regularly offering choice in selecting activities

• Using low-demand activities that just had a few steps to learn

• Acknowledging individuality of ABI effects

• Engaging but not forceful facilitation

• Being available if needed between sessions

Suggestions for improvement

• Communicate session topics using clear language

• Keeping discussions suitably focused

• Group protocol should specify need to adapt sessions based on participant needs

• Fatigue management for in-session activities

• Ensure equal participation from group members