Impaired communication ability in SOX11 syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Speech and language skills are important for social interaction and learning. This study characterised the communication abilities of verbal individuals with SOX11 syndrome using a standardised parent/carer questionnaire, the Children's Communication Checklist (CCC-2). METHOD: Thirteen parent/carers of verbal individuals (aged 5-19 years) diagnosed with SOX11 syndrome completed the CCC-2. In order to contextualise findings, responses were compared to norms and to data from Noonan syndrome, a relatively well-known genetic diagnosis associated with communication impairment. RESULTS: For all individuals, the CCC-2 composite score indicated significant communication difficulties. Language structure (speech, syntax, semantics and coherence), pragmatic language (inappropriate initiation, stereotyped language use of context and non-verbal communication) and autistic features (social relations and interests) scores were lower than typically developing norms. Subscale comparisons revealed relative difference in use of context compared to other pragmatic domains (stereotyped language and inappropriate initiation). Individual scores showed substantial variation, particularly in regard to language structure profile. Differences were more pronounced than for Noonan syndrome, specifically in domains of speech, syntax, non-verbal communication and social relations. CONCLUSIONS: SOX11 syndrome is associated with communication impairment. It is important to assess communication abilities as part of the management of individuals with SOX11 syndrome and understand individual strengths and difficulties in order to provide targeted support.

Stakeholder views on cognitive communication assessment and intervention for a person living independently in the community with severe traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive communication disorder (CCD) following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is well documented and these communication problems impede successful re-integration into community living. While there is growing evidence for intervention to both detect and treat the impact of these deficits across the rehabilitation continuum, there are barriers to accessing services. Cognitive communication impairments may be missed because the person can talk, and this may mask the subtle but debilitating impact of a CCD. Referral to a speech and language therapist (SLT) may be overlooked or not timely, which prevents the individual accessing evidence-based interventions. Inadequate treatment provision and an under- or overestimation of communication capability can potentially undermine the effectiveness of wider team assessment and intervention. AIMS: To report stakeholder views on specialist SLT input for CCD within a multidisciplinary team intervention for a community-dwelling individual with severe TBI. The investigation explored perspectives on understanding of CCD, on practice and on outcomes, in order to inform professional groups on perceived impacts of the evidence-to-practice gap. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A semi-structured interview methodology was employed with 11 stakeholder participants involved in a single case. Data were evaluated using a thematic framework method. Themes were inductively derived from the stakeholder narratives. OUTCOMES: Stakeholders reported the following outcomes from specialist SLT input for CCD within a collaborative team approach: improved engagement with rehabilitation and support teams, improved health-related quality of life and well-being, and increased client participation in community activities of personal relevance. Stakeholders also reported inequities in wider service provision where limitations in professional understanding of CCD and knowledge of best practice recommendations preclude access to specialist SLT services. CONCLUSIONS: CCDs are under-recognised and this can have a devastating effect on people with CCD and on those around them. Stakeholder reports provide evidence for the effectiveness of SLT practice recommendations for the treatment of CCD following TBI. They also provide additional evidence of persisting barriers to accessing treatment. Future research to explore ways to close this evidence-to-practice gap is required. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject Cognitive communication difficulties are a well-documented consequence of TBI. There is evidence for the effectiveness of person-centred interventions for CCD across the recovery continuum. International evidence-based practice recommendations are in place for CCD assessment and management. Barriers to accessing SLT expertise for CCD have previously been reported. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This investigation explores the views of a diverse group of stakeholders involved in a single case of a community-dwelling individual with severe TBI. Stakeholders report positive real-world outcomes from SLT interventions for CCD within a coordinated multidisciplinary rehabilitation team. Stakeholder reports also indicate inequities in wider service provision and CCD knowledge gaps amongst professional groups providing rehabilitation services for people with TBI. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? CCDs are under-recognised, with devastating effect for people with CCD and those around them. These findings underscore the importance of raising professional awareness of CCD and best practice recommendations, in order to improve access to SLT expertise for people with CCD following TBI.

A qualitative exploration of speech-language pathologists' approaches in treating spoken discourse post-traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Spoken discourse impairments post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) are well-documented and heterogeneous in nature. These impairments have chronic implications for adults in terms of employment, socializing and community involvement. Intervention delivered by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is recommended for adults with discourse impairments post-TBI, with an emphasis on context-sensitive treatment. The developing evidence base indicates a wide array of treatment components for SLPs to evaluate and implement within their clinical practice. However, there is limited insight into how SLPs are currently treating discourse impairments and the rationales informing clinical practice. AIMS: To explore the under-researched area of clinical practice for spoken discourse interventions with adults post-TBI, including treatment components and clinician rationales, and to contribute towards a shared knowledge base. METHODS & PROCEDURES: Participants were recruited via purposeful sampling strategies. Six SLPs participated from Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US). Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom. Interviews were manually transcribed, coded and analysed via a qualitative content analysis approach. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Participants described discourse treatment practices across various settings and TBI recovery stages. Results indicated that SLPs used numerous treatment activities, resources and outcome measures. Intervention approaches primarily targeted social communication skills, strategy development/utilization and insight-building. Clinical practice conformed to available guidelines where possible, reflected best practice and incorporated components of the research literature. Participants reported using individualized treatment activities aimed at addressing client-specific factors and rationales prioritized tailored, context-sensitive and goal-directed treatment. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: This study provided insight into a previously under-researched area. It highlighted a wide range of treatment activities and factors informing current SLPs' treatment of spoken discourse impairment post-TBI. Overall, clinical practice and rationales discussed in this study were aligned with best practice and emphasized a contextualized, individualized approach to discourse treatment across service settings and stages of recovery. Participants identified areas requiring further support, including access to training, resources and research, and the challenge of finding suitable outcome measures. Further investigation into discourse management post-TBI, from initial assessment to outcome measurement, may help inform clinical decision-making and the transfer of research to practice. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject Spoken discourse impairments occur in dialogic and monologic productions post-TBI. Interventions targeting both genres are detailed within the research literature; however, studies exploring clinical practice and decision-making for discourse interventions post-TBI are limited. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study provides new insight into the current treatment targets, activities, resources and outcome measures employed by clinicians supporting adults with discourse impairment post-TBI. It details the factors that influence clinical decision-making for this caseload and identifies an emphasis on client priorities and the value of clinician experience. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? This study identifies the broad and complex considerations required to deliver context-sensitive discourse intervention post-TBI. It indicates the need for an in-depth review from assessment to treatment outcomes to better understand and support this area of practice and to direct future research. This study also highlighted the role of clinician experience in discourse intervention and the value of sharing clinical knowledge and resources within and across the profession to support all levels of clinician experience.

Co-constructed communication therapy for individuals with acquired brain injury: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Meaningful, varied, joyful conversation is an important therapy target for adults with language or cognitive-communication disorders following acquired brain injury (ABI). However, the complexity of daily communication is often reduced to component parts within intervention programmes, with mixed evidence of generalization to everyday conversation. Interventions targeting co-construction of communication within a dyad offer a structured way in which to retain and treat elements of everyday conversation for individuals and their communication partner (CP). Such interventions exist but they are variably labelled, target different ABI populations and have not been synthesized. AIMS: To identify the nature, scope and effects of intervention studies targeting co-constructed communication in adults with ABI. METHOD: This systematic review was completed using PRISMA Guidelines. Six databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, LLBA, PsychInfo) were searched and 1210 studies were screened. Data were extracted and studies were rated for methodological quality and completeness of reporting. Outcome measures and effects of treatment were collated through descriptive synthesis. MAIN CONTRIBUTION: This review highlights an emerging evidence base in relation to an intervention approach that targets everyday communication. Co-constructed communication interventions have been reported by 13 studies, from a total of 206 participants with post-stroke aphasia, traumatic brain injury and progressive language impairments. These interventions take a range of formats, including referential communication tasks, retell/recount therapies and communication training programmes. Methodological quality evaluation indicated mostly low-level study designs. Heterogeneity was identified in primary outcome measures, with 28 unique primary outcome measures reported across studies. Most studies demonstrated change in task-specific or broad communication outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Co-constructed communication interventions may offer clinicians a systematic, protocolized, replicable way to target everyday communication for adults with ABI. More high-quality, experimental designs with complete reporting and psychometrically sound outcome measures are needed to strengthen the evidence base. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject Everyday conversation is an important therapy target for adults with ABI, but there is mixed evidence of therapy gains generalizing to everyday life. Many interventions reduce conversation to component parts such as naming or sentence construction. A different approach is needed to capture the social, dyadic, interactive and multifaceted nature of conversation. We propose the term 'co-constructed communication interventions' as a therapy genre targeting semi-structured dialogue. These interventions retain elements of everyday conversation (such as multimodal communication and situating tasks within dyads), combined with experimental elements (where stimuli prompt interactions and responses can be scored against normative data). What this paper adds to existing knowledge This review proposes and describes a distinct genre of discourse intervention within the current evidence base with a novel operational definition of 'co-constructed communication'. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Co-constructed communication interventions directly target elements of everyday communication by situating the therapy goals within a dyadic, interactive, multimodal task. A range of intervention tasks have been identified, including collaborative storytelling and problem-solving. This review will be of interest to clinicians working with adults with ABI; co-constructed communication interventions may offer a useful, replicable way to target aspects of everyday communication. This synthesis of the current evidence base encourages clinicians' informed, evidence-based decisions around these interventions.

Intersectionality and Its Relevance in the Context of Aboriginal People with Brain Injury in Australia.

In this article, we explore the benefits of recognizing the impact of intersectionality on access to, and provision of, brain injury care in a First Nations context. While disadvantage and discrimination are often associated with the intersection of culture, gender, disability, and socioeconomic disadvantage, it is only when these factors are explored together that clinicians can really understand what people need to recover and thrive following acquired brain injury. In this article, we challenge speech-language pathologists to examine their own practices, to look beyond Western models of health and constraints of many current institutional models of care and ways of framing research, to acknowledge historical and ongoing colonizing influences, and to engage with community-led solutions. We provide a model of Aboriginal-led care, where intersection of discrimination and marginalization is minimized and the multiple components of the individual, carers/communication partners, and the environment become empowering factors instead.

Teleintervention for users of augmentative and alternative communication devices: A systematic review.

AIM: To synthesize existing evidence on the effectiveness of speech-language teleinterventions delivered via videoconferencing to users of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. METHOD: A systematic literature search was conducted in 10 electronic databases, from inception until August 2021. Included were speech-language teleinterventions delivered by researchers and/or clinicians via videoconferencing to users of AAC devices, without restrictions on chronological age and clinical diagnosis. The quality of the studies included in the review was appraised using the Downs and Black checklist and the Single-Case Experimental Design Scale; risk of bias was assessed using the Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies - of Interventions and the single-case design risk of bias tools. RESULTS: Six teleinterventions including 25 participants with a variety of conditions, such as Down syndrome, autism, Rett syndrome, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis met the inclusion criteria. Five studies used a single-case experimental design and one was a cohort study. Teleinterventions included active consultation (n = 2), functional communication training (n = 2), brain-computer interface (n = 1), and both teleintervention and in-person intervention (n = 1). All teleinterventions reported an increase in participants' independent use of AAC devices during the training sessions compared to baseline, as well as an overall high satisfaction and treatment acceptability. INTERPRETATION: Speech-language teleinterventions for users of AAC devices show great potential for a successful method of service delivery. Future telehealth studies with larger sample sizes and more robust methodology are strongly encouraged to allow the generalization of results across different populations. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Individuals can learn to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices independently during tele-AAC interventions. Service providers and recipients reported an overall high satisfaction and acceptability for AAC services delivered via teleinterventions. Speech-language teleinterventions may be an effective method of providing AAC intervention services.

The Excess Costs of Hospitalization for Acute Stroke in People With Communication Impairment: A Stroke123 Data Linkage Substudy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the costs of hospital care for acute stroke for patients with aphasia or dysarthria. DESIGN: Observational study from the Stroke123 project. SETTING: Data from patients admitted with stroke (2009-2013) from 22 hospitals in Queensland participating in the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (AuSCR) were linked to administrative datasets. PARTICIPANTS: Communication impairments were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Australian Modification codes. Overall, 1043 of 4195 (25%) patients were identified with aphasia (49% were women; median age 78 years; 83% with ischemic stroke), and 1005 (24%) with dysarthria (42% were women; median age 76 years; 85% with ischemic stroke). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Linked patient-level, hospital clinical costing related to the stroke, were adjusted to 2013/2014 Australian dollars (AU$, US$ conversion x 0.691) using recommended national price indices and multivariable regression analysis with clustering by hospital performed. RESULTS: Compared with patients without aphasia, the median hospital costs/patient were greater for those with aphasia for medical (aphasia AU$2273 vs AU$1727, P<.001), nursing (aphasia AU$3829 vs AU$2748, P<.001) and allied health services (aphasia AU$1138 vs AU$720, P<.001). Similarly, costs were greater for patients with dysarthria compared with those without dysarthria. Adjusted median total costs were AU$2882 greater for patients with aphasia compared with patients without aphasia (95% confidence interval, AU$1880-3884), and AU$843 greater for patients with dysarthria compared with those without dysarthria (95% confidence interval, AU$-301 to 1987). CONCLUSIONS: People with communication impairment after stroke incur greater hospital costs, in particular for medical, allied health, and nursing resources.

INCOG 2.0 Guidelines for Cognitive Rehabilitation Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Part IV: Cognitive-Communication and Social Cognition Disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury causes significant cognitive impairments, including impairments in social cognition, the ability to recognize others' emotions, and infer others' thoughts. These cognitive impairments can have profound negative effects on communication functions, resulting in a cognitive-communication disorder. Cognitive-communication disorders can significantly limit a person's ability to socialize, work, and study, and thus are critical targets for intervention. This article presents the updated INCOG 2.0 recommendations for management of cognitive-communication disorders. As social cognition is central to cognitive-communication disorders, this update includes interventions for social cognition. METHODS: An expert panel of clinicians/researchers reviewed evidence published since 2014 and developed updated recommendations for interventions for cognitive-communication and social cognition disorders, a decision-making algorithm tool, and an audit tool for review of clinical practice. RESULTS: Since INCOG 2014, there has been significant growth in cognitive-communication interventions and emergence of social cognition rehabilitation research. INCOG 2.0 has 9 recommendations, including 5 updated INCOG 2014 recommendations, and 4 new recommendations addressing cultural competence training, group interventions, telerehabilitation, and management of social cognition disorders. Cognitive-communication disorders should be individualized, goal- and outcome-oriented, and appropriate to the context in which the person lives and incorporate social communication and communication partner training. Group therapy and telerehabilitation are recommended to improve social communication. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) should be offered to the person with severe communication disability and their communication partners should also be trained to interact using AAC. Social cognition should be assessed and treated, with a focus on personally relevant contexts and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The INCOG 2.0 recommendations reflect new evidence for treatment of cognitive-communication disorders, particularly social interactions, communication partner training, group treatments to improve social communication, and telehealth delivery. Evidence is emerging for the rehabilitation of social cognition; however, the impact on participation outcomes needs further research.

Apragmatism: The renewal of a label for communication disorders associated with right hemisphere brain damage.

BACKGROUND: Right hemisphere communication disorders are neither consistently labelled nor adequately defined. Labels associated with right hemisphere brain damage (RHD) are broad and fail to capture the essence of communication challenges needed for stroke-related service provisions. Determination of rehabilitation needs and best-practice guidelines for the education, management and functional improvement of communication disorders after RHD are all predicated on an apt diagnostic label and disorder characteristics. AIMS: In this paper apragmatism is proposed as a potential communication-specific diagnostic label for the impairments in communication that occur after RHD. In particular, the researchers aimed: (1) to establish an operational definition of apragmatism; and (2) to describe the linguistic, paralinguistic and extralinguistic communication deficits under the umbrella term apragmatism. METHODS & PROCEDURES: An international collaborative of researchers with expertise in RHD followed a multilevel approach to consider the utility of apragmatism as a diagnostic label. Adopting the relational approach to concept mapping, the researchers engaged in a series of group meetings to complete four levels of mapping: (1) identify and review, (2) define, (3) expert discussion and (4) label determination. MAIN CONTRIBUTION: Apragmatism was established as a suitable diagnostic label for the impairments in communication associated with RHD. The paper offers an operational definition and description of the linguistic, paralinguistic and extralinguistic features of apragmatism through evidence summaries and examples from people with RHD retrieved from the RHDBank. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: The adoption of the term apragmatism offers an opportunity to capture the hallmark of RHD communication deficits. The use of the term is recommended when referencing the pragmatic language impairments in this population. Apragmatism, which may co-occur with or be exacerbated by cognitive impairments, can interfere with the ability to interpret and convey intended meaning and impact the lives of right hemisphere stroke survivors and their families. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject RHD results in a heterogeneous group of deficits that range in cognitive-communicative complexity. Many of the deficits are subsumed under pragmatics. For example, adults with RHD may demonstrate tangential or verbose communication, insensitivity to others' needs and feelings, prosodic changes, minimal gesture use and facial expression, and more. While descriptions of pragmatic impairments pervade the literature, there is no consistently used diagnostic label. The clinical consequences of this absence include difficulty with inter- and intra-disciplinary communication about these patients, difficulty consolidating findings across research studies, and challenges in communicating about these pragmatic changes with patients, families and other stakeholders. What this paper adds to existing knowledge The term apragmatism is proposed as a diagnostic label to consistently describe pragmatic communication changes after RHD. Apragmatism is characterized using three components of pragmatics: linguistic, paralinguistic and extralinguistic. Descriptions and examples of these three components are provided with supplemental transcripts retrieved from the RHDBank. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Adoption of the term apragmatism by speech and language therapists and other medical and rehabilitation professionals has the potential to provide consistency in describing the abilities and challenges experienced by people following a right hemisphere stroke. Such improvements may help drive the development of evidence-based assessments and treatments for this population.

'Patient unable to express why he was on the floor, he has aphasia.' A content thematic analysis of medical records and incident reports on the falls of hospital patients with communication disability following stroke.

BACKGROUND: People with communication disability following stroke are at risk of falls during inpatient rehabilitation. However, they are often excluded from hospital falls research, and little is known about the circumstances or outcomes of their falls to inform risk management strategies. AIMS: To examine hospital medical records and incident reports relating to falls of patients with communication disability following stroke for content codes, categories and themes relating to communication. METHODS & PROCEDURES: This medical record chart review examined data on 72 patients and 265 falls. A content thematic analysis was used to identify how patient communication is characterized in relation to falls, and their prevention and management strategies. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: The data reflected that staff viewed patients having difficulty following simple instructions as contributing to falls. Gaining the attention of staff and communicating basic needs were also considered to be contributing factors for falls. Patients were often described as experiencing a fall when taking a risk or attempting to address an unmet basic need. Furthermore, written notes for patients with more severe communication disability reflected that the patient's communication impairments prevented staff from establishing the circumstances of some falls and complicated the assessment for injury following a fall. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: The medical records and incident reports of patients with communication disability following stroke reveal that hospital staff recognize the impact of communication disability as potential risk factors for falls for this group. It was difficult for staff to report the circumstances of the fall for patients with severe communication disability. Despite the recognition of communication as a potential contributing factor, few medical record entries documented strategies related to communication interventions to improve patients' ability to understand instructions, gain attention or communicate basic needs. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject People with stroke are at a high risk of falls during their hospital admission. However, little is known about the circumstances of their falls and the influence of communication disability on these falls. What this paper adds to existing knowledge Patients with communication disability have unique factors that contribute to their falls in the hospital. Patients were described as experiencing a fall when taking a risk or attempting to address an unmet need, and these falls were often related to a patient's difficulties communicating their basic needs, gaining attention from staff, and following simple instructions. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Communication disability as a risk factor for a fall, and fall prevention strategies tailored to the communication disability, were typically identified and documented by physiotherapists, occupational therapists and nursing staff. The inclusion of speech pathologists in fall risk assessment, management, and prevention strategies may provide crucial information regarding the patient's communication disability that may enhance their fall prevention plan.

The pervasive and unyielding impacts of cognitive-communication changes following traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive-communication disorders (CCDs) are common in the traumatic brain injury (TBI) population. Despite this, there has been limited research that explores the long-term impacts of reduced cognitive-communication functioning on daily life for this population. AIMS: To identify the long-term impacts of cognitive-communication impairment as reported by adults with TBI and their significant others. METHODS & PROCEDURES: A qualitative descriptive approach grounded in phenomenology was used. Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted with adults with CCDs following TBI (n = 16) and their significant others (n = 12) to explore their lived experiences. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Reflexive thematic analysis revealed an overarching theme of 'The pervasive and unyielding impacts of cognitive-communication changes on daily life following TBI'. Within this overarching theme, three subthemes were identified: (1) self-awareness of communication changes; (2) fatigue; and (3) self-identity and life roles. CONCLUSION & IMPLICATIONS: The findings from this study highlight the long-term negative impacts of reduced cognitive-communication functioning on daily life. Health professionals supporting this population should consider ways to reduce the significant impact CCDs have on the lives of adults following TBI and their significant others. In addition, the findings highlight the importance of long-term rehabilitation services following TBI, with further research needed that explores how these services can be optimised. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject Cognitive-communication disorders (CCDs) affect the majority of adults who experience moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and encompass any component of communication that is affected by cognition. The hallmark characteristic of CCDs are breakdowns that affect social communication skills as well as cognitive-linguistic deficits. Combined, these can have dramatic implications for a person's quality of life, their level of independence, employment opportunities and social participation. There has been limited research to date that explores the long-term impacts of CCDs on the lives of adults following TBI. Further research that explores these impacts is needed to improve the support services and rehabilitation models of care available for this population. What this study adds The overarching theme was 'The pervasive and unyielding impacts of communication changes on daily life following TBI' with subthemes including changed communication, self-awareness of communication changes, fatigue and self-identity and life roles. The findings from this study highlight the long-term negative impacts of reduced cognitive-communication functioning on everyday functioning and quality of life as well as the importance of long-term rehabilitation services following TBI. What are the clinical implications of this work? Speech-language therapists and other health professionals working with this clinical population should consider how to address the significant and long-lasting impacts of CCDs. Due to the complex nature of the barriers experienced by this clinical population, an interdisciplinary targeted approach is advised wherever possible when providing rehabilitation services.

Affective prosody disorders in adults with neurological conditions: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with affective-prosodic deficits have difficulty understanding or expressing emotions and attitudes through prosody. Affective prosody disorders can occur in multiple neurological conditions, but the limited knowledge about the clinical groups prone to deficits complicates their identification in clinical settings. Additionally, the nature of the disturbance underlying affective prosody disorder observed in different neurological conditions remains poorly understood. AIMS: To bridge these knowledge gaps and provide relevant information to speech-language pathologists for the management of affective prosody disorders, this study provides an overview of research findings on affective-prosodic deficits in adults with neurological conditions by answering two questions: (1) Which clinical groups present with acquired affective prosodic impairments following brain damage? (2) Which aspects of affective prosody comprehension and production are negatively affected in these neurological conditions? METHODS & PROCEDURES: We conducted a scoping review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. A literature search was undertaken in five electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL and Linguistics, and Language Behavior Abstracts) to identify primary studies reporting affective prosody disorders in adults with neurological impairments. We extracted data on clinical groups and characterised their deficits based on the assessment task used. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: The review of 98 studies identified affective-prosodic deficits in 17 neurological conditions. The task paradigms typically used in affective prosody research (discrimination, recognition, cross-modal integration, production on request, imitation and spontaneous production) do not target the processes underlying affective prosody comprehension and production. Therefore, based on the current state of knowledge, it is not possible to establish the level of processing at which impairment occurs in clinical groups. Nevertheless, deficits in the comprehension of affective prosody are observed in 14 clinical groups (mainly recognition deficits) and deficits in the production of affective prosody (either on request or spontaneously) in 10 clinical groups. Neurological conditions and types of deficits that have not been investigated in many studies are highlighted. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: The aim of this scoping review was to provide an overview on acquired affective prosody disorders and to identify gaps in knowledge that warrant further investigation. Deficits in the comprehension or production of affective prosody are common to numerous clinical groups with various neurological conditions. However, the underlying cause of affective prosody disorders across them is still unknown. Future studies should implement standardised assessment methods with specific tasks based on a cognitive model to identify the underlying deficits of affective prosody disorders. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject What is already known on the subjectAffective prosody is used to share emotions and attitudes through speech and plays a fundamental role in communication and social interactions. Affective prosody disorders can occur in various neurological conditions, but the limited knowledge about the clinical groups prone to affective-prosodic deficits and about the characteristics of different phenotypes of affective prosody disorders complicates their identification in clinical settings. Distinct abilities underlying the comprehension and production of affective prosody can be selectively impaired by brain damage, but the nature of the disturbance underlying affective prosody disorders in different neurological conditions remains unclear. What this study adds Affective-prosodic deficits are reported in 17 neurological conditions, despite being recognised as a core feature of the clinical profile in only a few of them. The assessment tasks typically used in affective prosody research do not provide accurate information about the specific neurocognitive processes impaired in the comprehension or production of affective prosody. Future studies should implement assessment methods based on a cognitive approach to identify underlying deficits. The assessment of cognitive/executive dysfunctions, motor speech impairment and aphasia might be important for distinguishing primary affective prosodic dysfunctions from those secondarily impacting affective prosody. What are the potential clinical implications of this study? Raising awareness about the possible presence of affective-prosodic disorders in numerous clinical groups will facilitate their recognition by speech-language pathologists and, consequently, their management in clinical settings. A comprehensive assessment covering multiple affective-prosodic skills could highlight specific aspects of affective prosody that warrant clinical intervention.

The diagnostic intersection of cognitive-communication disorders and aphasia secondary to TBI.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The present retrospective study examines veterans and military personnel who have sustained a cognitive-communication deficit/disorder (CCD) and/or aphasia secondary to traumatic brain injury (TBI). The prevalence of each disorder secondary to TBI is identified and demographic factors are analysed to determine whether specific characteristics (age, gender, race and/or ethnicity) differentially influenced diagnosis (CCD or aphasia). METHODS & PROCEDURES: A retrospective analysis examining the prevalence of CCD and aphasia among US service personnel with a complicated mild-to-severe TBI treated over a 4-year period (1 January 2016-31 December 2019) was conducted. Medical diagnoses and demographic factors were obtained from administrative data repositories and a logistic regression was performed to identify the relationship between demographic factors and diagnoses. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Analyses revealed that 8.8% of individuals studied had a secondary diagnosis of CCD (6.9%), aphasia (1.5%) or both (0.4%). This signifies 6863 cases of CCD, 1516 cases of aphasia and 396 cases of CCD and aphasia (dual diagnosis) per 100,000 individuals who have sustained a complicated mild-to-severe TBI. The proportion of cases observed with these diagnoses was consistent with the racial, gender and ethnic demographics of those diagnosed with TBI. Statistical modelling revealed that increased age is predictive of a diagnosis of aphasia relative to CCD. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: Service personnel sustaining TBIs are at increased risk of communication impairments with deficits observed across all gender, racial and ethnic demographics. CCD is more commonly observed than aphasia, though clinicians should be cognisant of both when performing assessments. Age is a factor that can influence diagnosis. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject Military personnel are at increased risk of communication disorders (CCDs) with TBI associated with multiple types of communication impairments including CCD, aphasia, dysarthria and apraxia of speech. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This paper examines CCD and aphasia occurring following TBI. The proportion of observed cases of CCD and aphasia secondary to TBI are calculated over a 4-year period and the prevalence of these disorders is provided. Additionally, statistical modelling is used to identify differences in the diagnosis of CCD relative to aphasia using the demographic factors of age, racial identity and ethnicity. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? CCD is a frequently occurring issue following TBI, and the findings of this study demonstrate that it is a concern observed across gender, racial and ethnic lines. Advanced age is linked with the diagnosis of aphasia relative to CCD following TBI and should be a consideration during evaluation of patients who have sustained significant head trauma.

Who gets to decide?: Substitute decision making following severe brain injury with communication impairment.

Purpose: In our prior study (Malhi et al., 2021), we demonstrated that cognitive ability may be masked by communication impairments. We used binary choice (i.e., yes/no) neuropsychological tests to assess cognitive functioning in four patients with severe brain injury and communication impairments. In this study, we aimed to better understand the decision-making process of their substitute decision makers (SDMs). Methods: We interviewed SDMs - two SDMs were supporting patients in the minimally conscious state, one SDM was supporting a patient who had locked-in syndrome and was an augmentative communication user, and the last SDM was supporting a patient who was an alternative communication user. Results: SDMs were performing various roles ranging from making all decisions to simply being the vocal advocate (for the augmentative and alternative communication users). SDMs described heuristics they used to make decisions, and all identified auditory comprehension capabilities as being an important element for decision making. Conclusion: We argue that if mode of communication is established and utilized, and binary choice neuropsychological tests are used to ascertain cognitive functioning, SDMs may more confidently make low/medium stakes decisions based on the present condition and context, rather than solely on past wishes and values before capacity was in question.

Barriers and facilitators to the use of personal information documents in health and social care settings for people living with dementia: A thematic synthesis and mapping to the COM-B framework.

INTRODUCTION: People living with dementia experience communication difficulties. Personal information documents, or healthcare passports, enable communication of information essential for the care of a person with dementia. Despite the potential for providing person-centred care, personal information documents are not ubiquitously used. The Capability Opportunity Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model can be used to understand factors determining individuals' behaviours. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the barriers to and facilitators of the use of healthcare passports for people living with dementia through a systematic review methodology. METHODS: A systematic search of six electronic databases was undertaken. Grey literature was searched using three databases. All study types reporting barriers to or facilitators of the use of personal information documents in the care of adults living with dementia in high-income countries were included. Study quality was assessed using the NICE Quality Appraisal Checklist. Thematic synthesis was used to develop descriptive themes, which were subsequently mapped to the COM-B framework. RESULTS: Nineteen papers were included. Themes included training, awareness, embedding the process in norms and appreciating the value of the personal information documents. A broad range of barriers and facilitators was identified within each COM-B domain. CONCLUSION: This framework provides a starting point for evidence-informed initiatives to improve the use of personal information documents in the care of people with dementia. PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This is a review of studies and did not involve patients or the public. Review results will guide evaluation of a local personal information document, which will be designed with input from the Dementia Champions Network (includes carers and other stakeholders).

Community-based rehabilitation for adults with cognitive-communication disorders following traumatic brain injury: A mixed methods investigation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the experiences and perspectives of speech pathologists when delivering cognitive-communication therapy to adults following traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used to explore the practices of speech pathologists working in community-based rehabilitation (CBR) settings. The first participant group completed an in-depth online survey, whilst the second group participated in an interview to discuss their processes and recommendations when managing adults following TBI. RESULTS: Participants highlighted the need for services to be client-centered and inclusive in their approaches to meet the rehabilitation needs of people following TBI in community-based settings. The key features identified to achieve this included utilizing a flexible service delivery approach, implementation of meaningful therapy, as well as inclusion of significant others. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide a snapshot of the current practices employed by a range of speech pathology services across Australia and New Zealand. Health professionals and rehabilitation service providers should consider the key factors highlighted by the participants when designing future CBR models of care for this client group.

Exploring the measurement of pediatric cognitive-communication disorders in traumatic brain injury research: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize information about the constructs measured, measurement instruments used, and the timing of assessment of cognitive-communication disorders (CCDs) in pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) research. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Scoping review conducted in alignment with Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage methodological framework and reported per the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews. Inclusion criteria: (a) cohort description, case-control, and treatment studies; (b) participants with TBI aged 5-18 years; (c) communication or psychosocial outcomes; and (d) English full-text journal articles. The first author reviewed all titles, abstracts, and full-text articles; 10% were independently reviewed. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Following screening, a total of 687 articles were included and 919 measurement instruments, measuring 2134 unique constructs, were extracted. The Child Behavior Checklist was the most used measurement instrument and 'Global Outcomes/Recovery' was the construct most frequently measured. The length of longitudinal monitoring ranged between ≤3 months and 16 years. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: We found considerable heterogeneity in the constructs measured, the measurement instruments used, and the timing of CCD assessment in pediatric TBI research. A consistent approach to measurement may support clinical decision-making and the efficient use of data beyond individual studies in systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Thinking without speaking: Neuropsychological testing with individuals who have communication impairments.

Cognitive ability may be masked by communication impairments. This study aimed to assess cognitive functioning using binary choice (i.e., yes/no) neuropsychological tests in patients with communication impairments. Four participants underwent neuropsychological testing. Two participants were in the minimally conscious state (MCS), one participant had locked-in syndrome and was an alternative communication user, and one participant was an augmentative communication user. There was better performance in all cognitive domains for the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) users (who performed like the non-communication impaired normative data) compared to the MCS participants. However, using established yes/no communication methods, MCS participants performed above chance on a measure of memory and performance on measures of auditory comprehension was variable. Auditory comprehension appeared to be more influenced by working memory demands for the MCS participants than for the AAC users. For emotional functioning, the AAC users endorsed lower mood compared to the MCS participants. The results support the need to assess cognition, communication, as well as capacity in individuals with communication impairments with the consultation of a neuropsychologist and a speech-language pathologist.

The role of Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Speech and Language Therapy: A mini review.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication is an aided or unaided means of communication which supports existing communication abilities of an individual or replaces natural speech due to any speech and language disorder. The deficit could be developmental or acquired such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, dysarthria, dyspraxia or due to any acquired neurological condition such as aphasia and other degenerative disorders. Furthermore, it may be due to surgical procedures such as laryngectomy. Alternate means of communication have also been successfully used with COVID-19 patients. These tools may include pictures, symbols, signs or voice output devices. Parents of children with special needs and medical professionals have been reluctant in implementing the approach due to certain misconceptions. The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence for the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication with a range of disorders in relation to in relation to Pakistan.

A Consensus Statement for the Management and Rehabilitation of Communication and Swallowing Function in the ICU: A Global Response to COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To identify core practices for workforce management of communication and swallowing functions in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive patients within the intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: A modified Delphi methodology was used, with 3 electronic voting rounds. AGREE II and an adapted COVID-19 survey framework from physiotherapy were used to develop survey statements. Sixty-six statements pertaining to workforce planning and management of communication and swallowing function in the ICU were included. SETTING: Electronic modified Delphi process. PARTICIPANTS: Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) (N=35) from 6 continents representing 12 countries. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome was consensus agreement, defined a priori as ≥70% of participants with a mean Likert score ≥7.0 (11-point scale: 0=strongly disagree, 10=strongly agree). Prioritization rank order of statements in a fourth round was also conducted. RESULTS: SLPs with a median of 15 years of ICU experience, working primarily in clinical (54%), academic (29%), or managerial positions (17%), completed all voting rounds. After the third round, 64 statements (97%) met criteria. Rank ordering identified issues of high importance. CONCLUSIONS: A set of global consensus statements to facilitate planning and delivery of rehabilitative care for patients admitted to the ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic were agreed by an international expert SLP group. Statements focused on considerations for workforce preparation, resourcing and training, and the management of communication and swallowing functions. These statements support and provide direction for all members of the rehabilitation team to use for patients admitted to the ICU during a global pandemic.