International journal of language & communication disorders
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Int J Lang Commun Disord · Jan 2013
The occurrence of 'what', 'where', 'what house' and other repair initiations in the home environment of hearing-impaired individuals.
Even though research has increasingly focused on the qualitative features of natural conversations, which have improved the communication therapy for hearing-impaired individuals (HI) and familiar partners (FP), very little is known about the interactions that occur outside clinical settings. ⋯ Through a deeper qualitative analysis, conversational research can provide extended knowledge of the occurrence and style of ordinary repair initiations and highlight their relationship in certain conversational environments. A robust starting point in communication therapy is increasing the awareness of HI individuals' existing skills.
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Int J Lang Commun Disord · Nov 2012
Clinical TrialThe living with dysarthria group: implementation and feasibility of a group intervention for people with dysarthria following stroke and family members.
The broad life implications of acquired dysarthria are recognized, but they have received little attention in stroke management. Reports of group therapy, which may be a suitable approach to intervention, are not available for stroke-related dysarthria. ⋯ The recruitment experience revealed a take-up rate of around 20% from PWD following stroke, informing future planning. The participant engagement and performance results from the piloting of the programme indicate that the Living with Dysarthria programme is viable and has potential for effecting positive change. Further testing is justified.
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Int J Lang Commun Disord · Nov 2012
Survey of UK speech and language therapists' assessment and treatment practices for people with progressive dysarthria.
Dysarthria knowledge is predominantly impairment-based. As a result, speech and language therapists (SLTs) have traditionally adopted impairment-focused management practices. However, guidance for best practice suggests that SLTs should consider the client holistically, including the impact of dysarthria beyond the impairment. ⋯ The values held by SLTs match guideline recommendations for best practice, however the clinical reality is that the assessment of progressive dysarthria remains predominantly impairment-focused. New tools need to be developed and integrated into practice to target interaction in assessment and intervention, to reduce the gap between best practice recommendations and clinical reality. Ongoing research into the effectiveness of SLT intervention with clients with progressive dysarthria is required to guide clinical management decisions.
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Int J Lang Commun Disord · Jul 2012
Evaluating the effectiveness of intervention in long-term aphasia post-stroke: the experience from CHANT (Communication Hub for Aphasia in North Tyneside).
Despite recognition of the need for increased long-term support for people with aphasia following stroke, there remains limited evidence for effective service-level interventions. ⋯ The quantitative and qualitative (narrative) findings were complementary in demonstrating the effectiveness of the CHANT service delivery model. Moreover, the narratives, through a longitudinal perspective, provided evidence about people's experience of intervention for long-term aphasia. The findings provide foundations for further work into long-term recovery, intervention and adjustment to aphasia post-stroke.
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Int J Lang Commun Disord · Jul 2012
Controlled Clinical TrialAssessing the treatment effects in apraxia of speech: introduction and evaluation of the Modified Diadochokinesis Test.
The number of reliable and valid instruments to measure the effects of therapy in apraxia of speech (AoS) is limited. ⋯ The study shows that the MDT has adequate psychometric properties, implying that it can be used to measure changes in speech motor control during treatment for apraxia of speech. The results demonstrate the validity and utility of the instrument as a supplement to speech tasks in assessing speech improvement aimed at the level of planning and programming of speech.