Patient Characteristics and Treatment Patterns for Speech-Language Pathology Services in Skilled Nursing Facilities.

PURPOSE: Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care has historically been influenced by systemic issues that could impact speech-language pathology (SLP) service provision. However, there has been little study specifically on factors associated with SLP service provision in SNFs. Large administrative data sets are rarely analyzed in SLP research but can be used to understand real-world SLP services. This study investigated associations between patient and facility characteristics and SLP services. METHOD: Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with SLP service provision in 2018 Medicare administrative data representing 833,653 beneficiaries. RESULTS: Beneficiaries had higher odds of receiving SLP services when they had neurologic diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 3.32), had SLP-related functional impairments (ORs = 1.19-3.41), and received other rehabilitative services (ORs = 3.11-3.78). Beneficiaries had lower odds of receiving SLP services when they received care from SNFs located in hospitals versus freestanding (OR = 0.45), with need for interpreter services (OR = 0.76) and with thresholding (OR = 0.68), a financially motivated practice. Direction of association varied across racial and ethnic groups and measures of location. Odds of being provided SLP services decreased with increasing communication impairment severity. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that clinicians are identifying patients with diagnoses most likely to warrant SLP services. However, association disparities and weakening association of service provision with increasing impairment severity have concerning clinical implications. Health services research methods can be used to further explore SLP practices in SNFs to support equitable service provision.

The Communicative Participation Item Bank-Gender-Diverse Version: Item Bank Calibration and Short Form.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to calibrate an item set for a new version of the Communicative Participation Item Bank (CPIB) specifically for use with gender-diverse clients. This new version contains a new item stem as well as other minor wording changes from the original CPIB in order to be acceptable to gender-diverse respondents. METHOD: Survey data on 47 candidate items were collected from 434 transgender individuals: 219 assigned female at birth (AFAB) and 215 assigned male at birth (AMAB). Item response theory analyses included evaluation of unidimensionality, local dependence, fit to a graded response model, and differential item functioning (DIF) between AFAB and AMAB respondents. RESULTS: The original set of 47 items was unidimensional, but 16 items were removed due to local dependence, resulting in a final item bank of 31 items. There was no evidence of DIF between AFAB and AMAB participants. Reliability of the full item bank is good (i.e., > 0.8) between T scores of 20 and 76 and high (i.e., > 0.9) between T scores of 20 and 68. The short form had good reliability (i.e., > 0.8) between T scores of 24 and 64. CONCLUSIONS: The Communicative Participation Item Bank-Gender-Diverse (CPIB-GD) version provides a new option for person-reported outcome measurement with gender-diverse clients. Clinicians are cautioned to use only the new CPIB-GD with gender-diverse clients, and not the original CPIB due to unacceptable wording in the original version for this population. The original CPIB remains valid and appropriate for the populations for which it was developed. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24993309.

Developmental, sensory and behavioral outcomes among infants and toddlers with prenatal alcohol exposure.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can disrupt children's neurodevelopment and exert lasting influences on overall child well-being and family functioning. A comprehensive exploration of developmental outcomes in infants/toddlers with PAE seen for a diagnosis on the fetal alcohol spectrum can inform early identification and intervention. AIMS: To describe the prevalence and patterns of neurodevelopment, sensory processing, and emotional and behavioral functioning in a clinical sample of infants/toddlers with PAE. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, clinical data from 125 infants/toddlers with PAE, aged 2-42 months, assessed at the University of Washington Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic and Prevention Network clinic were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-four to 87% of infants/toddlers demonstrated delayed development in one or more domains of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (n = 125). Adverse developmental outcomes were significantly correlated with PAE and/or postnatal risk factors. All 93 infants/toddlers with a complete Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile obtained definite difference scores in at least one quadrant/section. Over half of infant/toddlers with a completed Child Behavior Checklist/1½- 5 had total problem scores in the borderline or clinical range. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that several domains of child functioning may be vulnerable to the teratogenic impact of PAE, and that these delays are evident in the first years of life. Early screening, ongoing monitoring and comprehensive assessment is needed to facilitate earlier identification and guide clinical intervention.

Communicative participation outcomes in individuals with Parkinson's disease receiving standard care speech-language therapy services in community settings.

BACKGROUND: The Communicative Participation Item Bank (CPIB) is a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) designed to measure the extent of interference, or difficulty, experienced by adults with communication disorders participating in their day-to-day communication activities. To date, there is limited evidence regarding sensitivity of the CPIB for capturing change with intervention in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD). AIMS: The purpose of this study was to examine the following measurement properties of the CPIB in PwPD who received community-based, standard care, speech-language therapy focusing on motor speech concerns: Change over time between treatment and observation groups, comparison to patient-defined ideal and satisfactory targets, comparison of static short form to computerised adaptive testing (CAT), comparison of self to proxy-rated scores, and comparison to other common PROMs. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Forty-six PwPD (20 treatment/26 observation) completed data collection upon enrolment (pre-treatment) and 6 months later. In addition to the CPIB, PROMs included the Voice Handicap Index 10-item short form (VHI-10), PROMIS Global Health-Related Quality of Life, Levels of Speech Usage, self-rated speech severity, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Participants also engaged in qualitative interviews. Forty-four family members completed proxy CPIB ratings. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: There were no significant differences between treatment and observation groups on the CPIB pre-treatment, but there were significant differences post-treatment. The differences appeared to be largely due to significant gains in the treatment group. No participants reached their ideal CPIB target, and few reached their satisfactory target. Static CPIB short form and CAT scores were not significantly different, with an average of five CAT items administered per participant. Overall group similarities between patient and proxy scores may have obscured wide variability across individual patient-proxy pairs. Associations between CPIB and VHI-10, health-related quality of life, self-reported speech severity, and depression ranged from weak to moderate. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The CPIB appears to be sensitive to capturing change with intervention, and similar results are obtained with the static short form and CAT formats. One clinical caution is that even with gains observed in the treatment group, no participants obtained their ideal communicative participation goals, and few obtained a satisfactory level of communicative participation. Thus, while current interventions are beneficial, they may not meet the full range of clients' communication needs. While responding to the CPIB through a proxy rater may be feasible, caution is warranted due to concerns about maintaining the autonomy of PwPD. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject The communication disorders associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) can have a negative impact on quality of life and life participation as measured by patient (or person)-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The Communicative Participation Item Bank (CPIB) is one PROM available to use with adults with communication disorders. However, little is known about whether the CPIB captures changes in communicative participation as a result of standard care treatment for people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD). Use of computerised adaptive testing (CAT), proxy report and comparison to targeted participation outcomes have not been explored. What this study adds to existing knowledge As a result of this study, we know that the CPIB captured differences between treatment and observation groups after community-based, standard care speech therapy intervention focusing on motor speech production in PwPD. Static short form and CAT scores did not differ significantly, so the CAT option provides better efficiency requiring, on average, five items to administer compared to the 10-item short form. Proxy and PwPD scores did not differ as a group, but wide variability was noted. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? The CPIB may be a clinically sensitive instrument for capturing changes in communicative participation after treatment. No participants met their ideal CPIB target, and few reached their satisfactory target, suggesting that while current interventions contribute to gains in communicative participation, there are still unmet needs that may call for support and interventions addressing the more complex array of factors affecting communicative participation outcomes for PwPD.

"Take Us Into Account": Perspectives of Family Members of People With Parkinson's Disease Regarding Speech-Language Pathology Intervention.

PURPOSE: While communication changes associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) have been documented, research on the impact of these changes on family members is just beginning to emerge. With this new focus on family, questions arise as to how well speech-language pathology services address their needs communicating with their loved one with PD. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of family members of people with PD (PwPD) and their recommendations for speech-language pathology services that incorporated their needs. METHOD: Seventeen spouses/partners of PwPD participated in focus groups that were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analyses. RESULTS: Three themes emerged, all focusing around the central tenet that the experiences of family members, and hence their need for speech-language pathology support, transitioned through the stages of PD progression. Theme 1 summarized increasing burdens on family to manage communication as PD progressed beyond a brief period of independent strategy use by PwPD. Theme 2 highlighted multifactorial contributors to communication burdens on families, with cognitive impairments being the most underrecognized. Theme 3 illustrated how families wanted more intervention options from speech-language pathologists (SLPs) that included them, but with a tailored approach for PD stages and personal preferences. CONCLUSIONS: When SLPs provide families with either generic communication strategies or strategies that do not fit the individualized needs of PwPD and their families, we may inadvertently be increasing the burden on families. There is a need for systematic, evidence-based, family-centered interventions that include, but go beyond, current speech-focused interventions to meet the shared communication needs of PwPD and their families.

A qualitative study of reflective practice in the workplace. Speech-language pathologists have their say.

PURPOSE: Engaging in reflective practice (RP) and demonstrating reflective abilities is an essential graduate skill for speech-language pathologists (SLPs), yet limited studies have examined the perspectives of practicing SLPs and how and why they engage in RP. This qualitative study aimed to examine SLPs' experiences and perspectives of RP in diverse workplaces. METHOD: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 SLPs working in health, education, or private practice sectors. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULT: Three themes were developed from the data, describing what SLPs use RP for, what SLPs perceive as important in order to engage in RP in the workplace, as well as the barriers they have identified, and how SLPs have observed a change in engaging in RP as they have progressed in their careers. CONCLUSION: SLPs described that RP is valued in the workplace for supporting client focused care, problem-solving, and lifelong learning. SLPs wanted time to be protected for RP at all stages of their career and valued the relationships with others as contributing positively to RP. Perceptions of and engagement in RP changed in relation to SLPs' clinical experience. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Reframing transgender communication in gender-affirming communication care: Comfort and confidence are the main goals.

PURPOSE: To understand the communicative participation experiences of transgender people through a qualitative inquiry, and to address similarities and differences in experiences across genders. METHOD: This study was a secondary analysis of interview data gathered for modifying the Communicative Participation Item Bank for use with transgender populations. Fourteen transgender participants attended individual qualitative interviews. During the interview, participants shared their communication experiences in various situations and the availability of social supports related to communication. Qualitative content analysis was used to develop themes and subthemes from the data. RESULT: Three themes emerged from the data: the participants' priorities for comfort, safety, and authenticity; the use of an internal "checklist" to optimise their communication; and changes in attitudes towards communication over time. Across themes, participants shared core communication experiences regardless of gender identities. CONCLUSION: The findings support prior research on voice-related communication experiences of transgender people. A key finding is the notion that communication success is influenced by sociocultural contexts and the physical environment beyond their communication presentation. To achieve targeted comfort and satisfaction in communication, healthcare professionals need to consider the transgender client's communication contexts, and incorporate a life-participation approach to gender-affirming voice and communication training.

Effects of Aided Communication on Communicative Participation for People With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

PURPOSE: Many people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS) experience speech changes, which may interfere with participation in communication situations. This study was designed to investigate the effects of aided communication on self-rated communicative participation among PALS and the relationship between speech function and communicative participation for PALS at various stages of speech impairment and communication aid use. METHOD: Participants with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis completed an online questionnaire in which they identified their current communication methods, rated their speech function, and rated their communicative participation in various situations on a modified version of the Communicative Participation Item Bank short form. PALS who reported using aided communication rated their communicative participation under two conditions: with unaided communication only and with access to all of their communication methods. RESULTS: Communication aids appeared to support communicative participation for many participants with dysarthria. Across all levels of speech function, PALS who use aided communication reported better participation under the all-methods condition than the unaided-only condition, with the largest benefits for participants with anarthria (Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale [ALSFRS-R] speech rating = 0). Communicative participation ratings worsened with more severe speech impairment under both conditions for most levels of speech function, but PALS with anarthria (ALSFRS-R speech rating = 0) reported better participation under the all-methods condition than those who used residual speech in combination with non speech methods (ALSFRS-R speech rating = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Aided communication can help PALS continue to participate in various communication situations as their speech function deteriorates. Variability in self-rated communicative participation, even for PALS at the same level of speech function, highlights the need for an individualized approach and consideration of personal and environmental factors in augmentative and alternative communication intervention. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.22782986.

Concerns and Strengths: Caregiver Perceptions of Their Infant/Toddler with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure.

Caregiver-reported assessments provide opportunities for caregivers to share concerns and identify the strengths of their infant/toddler regarding prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). These insights may reveal under-recognized concerns and inform a strengths-based approach to early intervention. The purpose of this study was to describe the type and frequency of caregiver-reported concerns and strengths in a sample of infants/toddlers at the time of their fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) diagnostic evaluation. Caregivers' concerns and strengths were identified in the context of two parent-report questionnaires, the Infant Toddler Sensory Profile and Child Behavior Checklist/1½-5. By using content analysis, caregivers' open-ended responses were identified, coded, and analyzed. The frequencies of all the coded concerns and strengths were counted. The data were compared across the two age groups (<2 years and ≥2 years) and caregiver status. Caregivers (n = 117) identified numerous concerns and strengths across multiple categories. The most frequently reported concerns were related to aggressive behavior, language/communication, and sensory processing. The most frequently reported strengths were related to happiness, sociability, and love. The type of concerns and strengths reported were relatively consistent across age and caregiver status. These findings reinforce the value of caregivers' perspectives and offer a reminder to practitioners that infants/toddlers with PAE and their caregivers have many strengths that can be harnessed, in addition to a range of challenges that must be addressed.

Modifying the Communicative Participation Item Bank (CPIB) for individuals receiving gender-affirming communication care: Stakeholder feedback from cognitive interviews.

INTRODUCTION: The Communicative Participation Item Bank (CPIB) is a person-reported outcome measure designed for adults with communication disorders. The CPIB has not been validated for use with clients seeking gender-affirming communication care. The purpose of this study was to determine modifications needed to the CPIB for it to be appropriate for transgender respondents. METHODS: Individual qualitative cognitive interviews were conducted with 14 transgender adults (seven assigned male at birth, six assigned female at birth, one intersex / assigned female at birth). As participants completed the CPIB, they were asked to 'think out loud' to share their reactions to the items, reasons for their item responses, and any recommendations for changing the CPIB. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify common and salient trends in participants' feedback. RESULTS: The most salient change participants required was in the CPIB item stem. The original stem ("Does your condition interfere with….") is inappropriate for transgender clients because referring to being transgender as a 'condition' is unacceptable. A new stem ("How difficult is it for you to ….") was acceptable to participants. The original CPIB uses the phrase 'family and friends' to refer to safe and comfortable communication partners. Participants in this study reported that this does not reflect the experiences of many transgender people who are not accepted by their biological families. The recommended alternate wording is "people who know you well." The items reflected situations that were relevant to participants, and wording was acceptable with few exceptions. Participants suggested they would have responded to the CPIB items differently earlier in their transition, with their scores improving over time. CONCLUSIONS: The original CPIB questionnaire should not be used with transgender clients due to unacceptable wording. The modified items generated from this study require psychometric calibration for a new CPIB version for clients seeking gender-affirming communication care.

Development of a candidate item bank for measuring mobility of lower limb orthosis users.

BACKGROUND: Orthoses are often prescribed to improve mobility of people with chronic health conditions that affect lower limb function. Patient-reported survey instruments can be used to measure aspects of mobility that cannot be easily assessed in clinical or research settings. A population-specific item bank could be designed to measure aspects of mobility that are most important to lower limb orthosis users and used to evaluate the effects of orthoses. OBJECTIVE: To develop items for a new survey instrument to measure mobility of lower limb orthosis users. DESIGN: Survey items were developed using a qualitative item review process. SETTING: Focus groups were held by video conferencing. Cognitive interviews were conducted by telephone. PARTICIPANTS: Focus group and cognitive interview participants were adults with at least 6 months of experience using a lower limb orthosis that extended from the foot to a level above the ankle. METHODS: Research methods included focus groups with lower limb orthosis users, an item generation and reduction process that involved a stakeholder advisory panel, and cognitive interviews with target respondents. RESULTS: A total of 1180 extant items were identified in a literature review. Focus group participants (n = 29) provided feedback that informed the suitability of a construct definition and conceptual model. An advisory panel contributed to the selection of 118 candidate items for measuring orthotic mobility. Feedback from cognitive interview participants (n = 30) informed removal or revision of problematic items, resulting in a candidate bank of 100 mobility items. CONCLUSIONS: The rigorous qualitative methods applied here resulted in a large set of candidate items that spanned a range of situations relevant to moving with a lower limb orthosis. Next steps include administration of the candidate items to a large sample of lower limb orthosis users and calibration of the item bank.

Communication and Social Interaction Experiences of Youths With Congenital Motor Speech Disorders.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the communication and social interaction experiences of adolescents with congenital motor speech disorders due to cerebral palsy or Down syndrome, with the aim of identifying clinical and research needs to support the development and implementation of speech-language interventions. METHOD: Five male youths (ages 14-18 years) with congenital motor speech disorders and one of their parents participated in face-to-face, semistructured interviews designed to understand communication and social experiences in daily life. Interviews were audio-recorded and orthographically transcribed offline. Content was coded according to topic areas emerging in the data. Themes were developed to illustrate the most salient and representative aspects of participants' experiences according to the phenomenological tradition that recognizes that participants are experts in their "lived experience." RESULTS: Participants described the youths' day-to-day communication experiences, including facilitators and barriers to successful social interactions. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes: (a) strong core relationships amidst sparse, superficial interactions in daily life; (b) the complicated picture of why; and (c) how speech-language pathologists can help. CONCLUSIONS: Participants reported that the impact of congenital motor speech disorders on social interactions and experiences became more apparent in adolescence than in earlier childhood. Addressing communication challenges to meet the unique social demands of this period requires tailored interventions that target multiple contributing factors beyond speech impairment, such as social communication skills, negative communication partner attitudes, and participation opportunities. Shifting practice toward a life participation approach to communication intervention stands to substantially improve the long-term social outcomes of adolescents with motor speech disorders.

Understanding How Older Adults with Communication Difficulties Access Health Services: What We Can Learn from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS).

People with communication disorders face barriers to accessing safe and respectful healthcare. These barriers result in increased healthcare complications and inefficiencies, both of which contribute to increased healthcare costs. One obstacle to advocating for accommodations that could improve healthcare for this population is the absence of cost effectiveness studies of such accommodations specifically, as well as a paucity of data defining the needs of this population in general. The purpose of this study was to explore how people with communication and swallowing difficulties are characterized in the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally representative survey of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older, and how they manage their healthcare. Cross-sectional data from the NHATS rounds 5 to 9 (2015-2019) resulted in 8,038 unique respondents, 3,243 of who reported speech, memory, hearing, and/or swallowing difficulties. More than 90% of respondents with communication difficulties reported having a regular doctor. Less than 60% of respondents with communication difficulties had a family member or caregiver go to medical appointments with them, and around 70% of that subset of participants received help from that caregiver with communication during appointments. Fewer than 15% of respondents with communication difficulties used the internet for healthcare communication or information. Less than 5% of respondents across all communication difficulty categories had received rehabilitation services for communication in the year prior to their survey responses. While the information gleaned from NHATS points to likely gaps between the needs people with communication disorders may have for safe and accessible healthcare, and the support available, future research is needed to improve and clarify how communication disorders are defined and characterized in large-scale surveys to generate more interpretable data. These stronger empirical foundations are needed to support cost-effectiveness analyses to advocate for better communication accessibility of healthcare settings.

Training students from rehabilitation professions on communicating with patients with communication disorders.

BACKGROUND: FRAME, a mnemonic referring to a program for helping health care providers adapt patient-provider communication when working with patients with communication disorders, improves the knowledge, confidence, and communication skills of medical students for working with this population. However, the impact of the FRAME program for preparing students from the rehabilitation disciplines to work with patients with communication disorders is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of the FRAME program on the knowledge, confidence, and communication skills of students in physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and prosthetics and orthotics (P&O) in terms of how to communicate effectively with patients with communication disorders. DESIGN: An exploratory, quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design. SETTING: PT, OT, and P&O clinical education programs at the University of Washington's Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty rehabilitation students (PT = 12; OT = 7; and P&O = 1) participated in the FRAME training. INTERVENTIONS: The FRAME program, delivered in a single, 2-hour session teaches students communication skills to use with patients with various types of communication disorders. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A quiz of students' knowledge about communication disorders and a self-rating of confidence for interacting with this patient population were used. Speech-language pathology graduate clinicians rated students' use of communication strategies from each area of the FRAME training during interactions with standardized patients portraying aphasia and dysarthria. Student qualitative feedback were also collected. RESULTS: Students' knowledge, confidence, and use of communication strategies improved significantly following training. Greatest gains were observed in students' ability to familiarize themselves with how a patient communicates and establish a method of communication before proceeding with the interview. Qualitative feedback aligned with these findings. CONCLUSIONS: The FRAME program increases the knowledge, confidence, and use of communication strategies in rehabilitation students in order to communicate more effectively with patients with communication disorders in their future careers.

Older adults' perceptions of current and future hearing healthcare services in Australia, England, US and Canada.

OBJECTIVE: A high prevalence of hearing loss in older adults contrasts with a small proportion of people who seek help. Emerging developments in hearing healthcare (HHC) could reduce costs but may not increase access. This study evaluated older adults' perceptions of current and future HHC services in Australia, England, US and Canada to explore potential levers and system improvements. METHODS: Semi-structured focus groups (n = 47) were conducted, and data were analysed using a directed content analysis. Participants were adults 60 years and older with a) no hearing problems; b) hearing problems and hearing aid use; and c) hearing problems and no hearing aid use. RESULTS: Perceived barriers, facilitators and preferences were largely consistent across countries, with stigma and trust in HHC being the barriers most often discussed. CONCLUSION: Although cost and access were consistently deemed important, there may be limited change in help-seeking and HHC uptake unless the key barriers of trust and stigma are addressed. When seeking to undertake transformative change to healthcare it is important to engage recipients of care to understand existing barriers and coproduce a user-centered solution.

Sensitivity of the Communicative Participation Item Bank for Measuring Patient-Reported Outcomes After Treatment of Unilateral Vocal Fold Immobility.

Importance: The Communicative Participation Item Bank (CPIB) is a patient-reported outcome measure assessing the association between communication disorders and participation in daily communication. To our knowledge, no prior research has examined whether CPIB scores change after treatment of unilateral vocal fold immobility (UVFI). Objective: To compare CPIB scores before and after treatment of UVFI and with patient-defined target treatment outcomes and other common clinical outcomes after UVFI intervention. Design, Setting, and Participants: This single-group case series recruited a convenience sample of community-dwelling patients aged 18 years or older from an urban academic medical center who had a diagnosis of UVFI and planned to receive intervention for UVFI. The study was conducted from March 2014 to March 2019. Exposures: Intervention for UVFI according to clinicians' recommendations. The treatment type was not controlled for this study. Main Outcomes and Measures: Patients' self-reported communicative participation was assessed by obtaining CPIB scores before and after treatment of UVFI, with scores calibrated to the standardized T scale. Pearson correlations between the CPIB general short form and computerized adaptive format, the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), and self-rated and clinician-rated voice severity were also evaluated. Results: The sample included 25 participants, of whom 17 (68%) were male, 8 (32%) were female, and the mean (SD) age was 54.9 (17.0) years. Significant changes after treatment were observed in all quantitative outcomes including the primary outcome of the CPIB; the mean T score before treatment was 40.95 (95% CI, 37.49-44.41) and after treatment was 53.23 (95% CI, 48.41-58.04) (mean difference, -13.04 [95% CI, -7.30 to -18.79]; Cohen d, 0.96). The Pearson correlation between the CPIB general short form and computerized adaptive testing scores at pretreatment was r = 0.93 and at posttreatment, r = 0.95. Computerized adaptive testing showed efficiency advantages, with typically 5 to 6 items required for administration compared with 10 items for the short form. The correlation between the CPIB and VHI-10 was moderate before treatment (r = -0.70) and strong after treatment (r = -0.91). Moderate correlations were observed between the CPIB and clinician-rated voice quality before (r = -0.52) and after (r = -0.46) treatment and between CPIB and self-rated voice quality before (r = -0.56) and after (r = -0.62) treatment. Conclusions and Relevance: The results of this case series suggest that the CPIB is relevant for clinical use to assess changes in communicative participation among patients with UVFI before and after they receive treatment.

Expanding Availability of Speech-Generating Device Evaluation and Treatment to People With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (pALS) Through Telepractice: Perspectives of pALS and Communication Partners.

Purpose To examine the experiences of people with ALS (pALS) and their communication partners (cALS) regarding receiving speech-generating device (SGD) evaluation and treatment via telepractice. Method Eight pALS along with a primary cALS participated in telepractice SGD evaluation and treatment with an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) specialist and representatives from multiple SGD vendors. Participants were interviewed postevaluation and post-SGD training to examine their experiences. Mixed methods data were collected through Likert scale responses and qualitative interviews. Results Telepractice SGD evaluation and training were feasible and resulted in all pALS receiving SGDs they were able to use to communicate. In both Likert rating items and qualitative interviews, participants rated the telepractice experience very highly in terms of giving them access to AAC services via an AAC specialist that they would not have otherwise been able to access, and doing so in a format that was possible given their limitations in mobility, endurance, and caregiver availability. Suggestions for improving the telepractice experience were provided. Conclusions Telepractice should be considered as an option to provide vital SGD services to patients who are geographically remote, mobility impaired, unable to leave their home, experience fatigue with travel, or otherwise would not have access to these specialized services. Telepractice allows patients to preserve their time and energy for the assessment and treatment sessions, resulting in perhaps deeper and more frequent engagement in evaluation and training. Telepractice could serve as an alternative to outpatient, in-person evaluations, or be utilized in conjunction with in-person appointments. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.15094257.

Perceptions regarding communicative participation in individuals receiving botulinum toxin injections for laryngeal dystonia.

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal dystonia (LD), or spasmodic dysphonia (SD), is a neurological disorder characterized by focal dystonia or involuntary spasms of the laryngeal muscles and associated voice symptoms. It is typically treated with injection of botulinum toxin (BoNT) that weakens the affected muscles. AIMS: The primary purpose of this qualitative study was to explore participants' experience of living with LD and BoNT treatment. The secondary purpose was to examine those experiences as a function of participants' scores on the Communicative Participation Item Bank (CPIB). Results will enhance our understanding of restrictions in communicative participation, assist in planning intervention targeting these restrictions and aid in clinical interpretation of CPIB scores. METHODS & PROCEDURES: Semi-structured interviews using a phenomenological tradition and focusing on BoNT treatment and communicative participation were conducted with 26 people with LD who are on established BoNT treatment regimens. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded and analysed inductively. Participants were categorized by CPIB scores into groups ranging from none to extensive participation restrictions. Both self- and expert ratings of voice were obtained. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Participants with different levels of CPIB scores had different experiences related to communicative participation in the context of BoNT treatment. These differences were organized into the following topics: BoNT and voice; attitudes toward participation; coping strategies; and advice. For all participants except those in the least restricted and most restricted groups, expert ratings of voice did not relate to CPIB scores. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: Although most participants report improved voice with BoNT treatment, many participants experienced lingering restrictions in communicative participation, some to a severe extent. Participants reported coping with these restrictions in many ways; some of these strategies were more successful than others. Those with restricted participation recommended more support for daily life and the emotional toll of LD, as well as support for family members. This support might be offered by speech-language pathologists. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject Participants with different levels of CPIB scores had different experiences related to communicative participation in the context of BoNT treatment. What this study adds to the existing knowledge Although most participants report improved voice with BoNT treatment, many participants experienced lingering restrictions in communicative participation, some to a severe extent. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? SLP services that take a participation-focused approach to intervention and use multi-factorial approaches to help clients maximize their life participation in the context of LD are well within the SLP scope of practice. SLPs can help clients find and use their optimal voices within the constraints of the dystonia and BoNT effects.

The Communicative Participation Item Bank: Evaluating, and Reevaluating, Its Use across Communication Disorders in Adults.

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are essential in patient-centered, evidence-based practice in speech-language pathology. PROs respect individuals who live with communication disorders as key stakeholders providing a critically unique perspective on consequences of communication disorders, and whether interventions bring about meaningful changes. Some PROs focus on specific communication symptoms such as voice or language symptom severity, while others focus on broader constructs such as quality of life. Many PROs target specific diagnostic groups. This article presents the Communicative Participation Item Bank (CPIB), a PRO that measures communicative participation restrictions. The CPIB was based on the concept of participation, or engagement in life situations, as defined in the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. It was designed to be relevant for adults across different communication disorders to facilitate clinical and research activities that may involve either comparing or aggregating data across communication disorders. The CPIB follows current PRO development protocols including systematic guidance from stakeholders through cognitive interviews, and the measurement methods of Item Response Theory that allow precise and adaptive assessment. This article reviews use of the CPIB across different diagnostic groups, and identifies needs for future efforts to expand the relevance of the CPIB further.

Predicting Communicative Participation in Adults Across Communication Disorders.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which communicative participation differs across diagnoses and if there are common predictor variables for communicative participation across diagnoses. Method Survey data on self-report variables including communicative participation were collected from 141 community-dwelling adults with communication disorders due to Parkinson's disease, cerebrovascular accident, spasmodic dysphonia, or vocal fold immobility (VFI). Analysis of covariance was used to determine communicative participation differences between diagnoses, with age, sex, and hearing status as covariates. Sequential entry linear regression was used to examine associations between communicative participation and variables representing a range of psychosocial constructs across diagnoses. Results The VFI group had the least favorable communicative participation differing significantly from Parkinson's disease and spasmodic dysphonia groups. Self-rated speech/voice severity, self-rated effort, mental health, perceived social support, and resilience contributed to variance in communicative participation when pooled across diagnoses. The relationship between communicative participation and the variables of effort and resilience differed significantly when diagnosis was considered. Conclusions The findings suggest that communicative participation restrictions may vary across some diagnoses but not others. People with VFI appear to differ from other diagnosis groups in the extent of participation restrictions. Effort and resilience may play different roles in contributing to communicative participation in different disorders, but constructs such as social support, severity, and mental health appear to have consistent relationships with communicative participation across diagnoses. The findings can help clinicians identify psychosocial factors beyond the impairment that impact clients' communication in daily situations.