The Effectiveness of Verbal-Gestural Treatment on Verb Naming in Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of verbal-gestural treatment on verb production in patients with acute aphasia. Method Treatment was delivered during inpatient stay to four participants using a single-subject design. Results All patients demonstrated improvements in verbal expression. Some patients' improvements generalized to untrained verbs and nouns. Conclusions This study indicates verbal-gestural treatment can be an effective treatment model for acute aphasia in a hospital environment. Concurrent deficits resulting from stroke may impact the success with verbal-gestural treatment at this acute phase of recovery.

Supported Communication Video Training for the Nursing Department in an Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop a valid educational intervention to improve knowledge and confidence using communication strategies when interacting with a person with aphasia. DESIGN: A quantitative, nonrandomized pretest/posttest research study was performed. METHODS: Pre- and postcourse assessments were completed with learning participants. This educational intervention was developed using the underlying theoretical concepts of the integrated behavioral model. RESULTS: Forty-nine new employees from the nursing department participated in this study, with 61% reporting less than 1 year of experience. Pre- to posttraining assessments on the Test of Knowledge of Aphasia improved from 3.7 to 5.8 (p ≤ .0001) for direct knowledge, from 5.5 to 8.2 (p ≤ .0001) for confidence self-efficacy, and from 5.3 to 7.6 (p ≤ .0001) for knowledge self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Results indicated this theory-driven educational training was effective in training employees from the nursing department working in an inpatient rehabilitation environment. CLINICAL RELEVANCY: Improving communication effectiveness is critical for overall quality of care and patient safety.

Self-Reported Quality of Life Outcomes in Aphasia Using Life Participation Approach Values: 1-Year Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a newly initiated aphasia center program using Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA) values. DESIGN: Evidence-based practice quality improvement project. SETTING: Ambulatory care aphasia center part of a larger health care system. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 41 clients with aphasia and 40 primary caregivers of clients with aphasia. Participants included all clients and caregivers that were enrolled in the aphasia center within the first year of opening. All participants were enrolled in 1-4 eleven-week sessions of the aphasia center program. Participants with aphasia included 19 women and 22 men with a mean age of 65.2 years (range, 33-84 years). INTERVENTIONS: Group therapy was provided using the LPAA statement of values with each client receiving 3 hours of treatment once per week for 11 weeks. Clients were provided with the opportunity to complete multiple 11-week enrollment sessions if they chose to do so. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Client-reported outcomes included the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale, and caregiver-reported outcomes included the Modified Caregiver Strain Index. Both measures are self-reported and scale based. Client satisfaction data were also collected via a self-reported program evaluation upon completion of each 11-week session. RESULTS: Results indicated statistically significant improvements in quality of life scores for clients with aphasia following initial participation of an 11-week aphasia center program (P≤.0001) and following 1-year participation (P≤.0001). Additionally, caregiver's level of burden decreased significantly following initial participation of the family member (P=.003) and following completion of three 11-week sessions (P≤.0001). Self-reported client satisfaction program evaluation results also demonstrated improved quality of life (100%) and improved language skills (average=89.75%). CONCLUSIONS: The project provided further evidence supporting the use of LPAA values with clients experiencing chronic aphasia.