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.

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.

The impact of using implementation intentions as task instructions on prospective memory performance after stroke.

Prospective Memory (PM), the ability to remember to carry out intentions in the future, is often impaired after stroke. Little is known about rehabilitation of PM post-stroke with literature limited by small sample sizes and reliance on self-reported memory performance. Implementation intentions may make prospective remembering more automatic and follow a simple if-then structure (if X occurs, then I will do Y), focusing on the cue rather than the task. We aimed to investigate the effect of implementation intentions on PM post-stroke. Twenty-eight individuals with stroke and 27 controls were randomly allocated to a standard instruction or implementation intention condition and completed an assessment battery over two sessions. Implementation intention instructions were provided for PM tasks on the Delayed Message Task, Lexical Decision Prospective Memory Task (LDPMT), and the Virtual Reality Prospective Memory Shopping Task. The implementation intention groups performed better on all PM tasks compared to the standard instruction group, but no results reached statistical significance, likely due to the small sample size. In addition, the implementation intentions group monitored the time significantly more on the LDPMT than those in the standard instruction group.

Developing tailored theoretically informed goal-setting interventions for rehabilitation services: a co-design approach.

BACKGROUND: Several active ingredients contribute to the purposes and mechanisms of goal-setting in rehabilitation. Active ingredients in the goal-setting process include, interdisciplinary teamworking, shared decision-making, having meaningful and specific goals, and including action planning, coping planning, feedback, and review. Clinicians have expressed barriers and enablers to implementing these active ingredients in rehabilitation teams. Interventions designed to improve goal-setting practices need to be tailored to address context specific barriers and enablers. Attempts to understand and enhance goal-setting practices in rehabilitation settings should be supported using theory, process models and determinant frameworks. Few studies have been undertaken to enhance goal-setting practices in varied case-mix rehabilitation settings. METHODS: This study is part of a larger program of research guided by the Knowledge to Action (KTA) framework. A multisite, participatory, codesign approach was used in five sites to address three stages of the KTA. (1) Focus groups were conducted to understand barriers and enablers to implementing goal-setting at each site. Following the focus groups three staff co-design workshops and one consumer workshop were run at each site to (2) adapt knowledge to local context, and to (3) select and tailor interventions to improve goal-setting practices. Focus groups were analysed using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and informed the selection of behaviour change techniques incorporated into the implementation plan. RESULTS: Barriers and enablers identified in this study were consistent with previous research. Clinicians lacked knowledge and understanding of the differences between a goal and an action plan often confusing both terms. Clinicians were unable to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of comprehensive action planning and review processes that extended beyond initial goal-setting. Interventions developed across the sites included staff training modules, a client held workbook, educational rehabilitation service flyers, interdisciplinary goal-based case conference templates, communication goal boards and a key worker model. Implementation plans were specifically established for each site. CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation teams continue to struggle to incorporate a truly client-centred, interdisciplinary model of goal-setting in rehabilitation. Whilst clinicians continue to lack understanding of how they can use aspects of goal-setting to enhance client outcomes and autonomy in rehabilitation settings.

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.

Living with Dysphagia in the Community: Caregivers "do whatever it takes."

The psychological and psychosocial impacts of dysphagia on patients are well documented, however, caregiver perspectives have received limited attention and findings have been predominantly in the head and neck cancer population. The aim of this study was to understand the experience of supporting a person with dysphagia of varying aetiologies in the community from the caregiver perspective. Using a qualitative descriptive approach grounded in phenomenology, caregivers of a person with dysphagia living at home were interviewed (n = 15). Thematic analysis revealed an overarching theme of "You do whatever it takes," describing the caregiver experience of supporting a family member/friend with dysphagia at home. This theme was underpinned by three subthemes where caregivers described (1) being a caregiver; (2) support networks; and (3) practicalities of living with dysphagia. Caregivers voiced a range of pertinent issues experienced when caring for a family member/friend with dysphagia including how personal attributes and life experience impact the caregiver role. Demonstrated through the practical and emotional supports caregivers provided, it was apparent they are instrumental in supporting a family member/friend with dysphagia to live at home and in the community successfully. Through understanding the caregiver experience, health professionals will be in a better position to involve and support caregivers who play a vital role in those living with dysphagia in the community. Incorporating caregivers as direct recipients of dysphagia services will ensure the practical and psychosocial needs of caregivers are addressed, enabling optimal care for people with dysphagia living at home.

Setting a prioritized agenda to drive speech-language therapy research in health.

BACKGROUND: Prioritized research agendas are viewed internationally as an important method for ensuring that health research meets actual areas of clinical need. There is growing evidence for speech-language therapy-prioritized research agendas, particularly in disorder-specific areas. However, there are few general research priority agendas to guide speech-language therapy research. AIMS: To collaboratively develop a prioritized research agenda for an Australian public health context with clinical speech-language therapists (SLTs), academic SLTs and consumers of speech-language therapy services. METHODS & PROCEDURES: An initial stimulus list of potential research areas for prioritization was collected from SLTs via an online survey. Two categories (service delivery and expanded scope of practice) were selected from this list for prioritization due to their relevance across multiple health services. The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) was used to develop a prioritized research agenda for each of the two categories. One NGT session was conducted with each of the three participant groups (clinical SLTs, academic SLTs, consumers) for each category (total NGT sessions = six). The prioritization data for each group within each category were summed to give a single, ranked prioritized research agenda for each category. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Two prioritized research agendas were developed. Within each agenda, SLTs and consumers prioritized a need for more research in areas related to specific practice areas (e.g., Alternative and Augmentative Communication, Communication Partner Training), as well as broader professional issues (e.g., telehealth, working with culturally and linguistically diverse families). CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: The current findings support the need for funding proposals and targeted projects that address these identified areas of need. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject Evidence-based practice is a critical component of SLT practice. There is often a disconnect between the research evidence generated and areas of clinical need, and in some areas a lack of evidence. Prioritized research agendas can help drive research in areas of clinical need. What this paper adds to existing knowledge A collaborative, prioritized SLT research agenda was developed using the NGT according to the views of clinical SLTs, academic SLTs and consumers of speech-language therapy services in a conglomerate of public health services. SLTs and consumers identified a need for further research in specific areas of SLT practice as well as broader emerging professional issues What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Targeted research projects funded on a large scale are required to address these identified areas of need. Other health services around the world could replicate this prioritization process to drive research in areas of clinical need.

Self-reported prospective memory after stroke.

Prospective Memory (PM) is the memory for completing future intentions. This study aimed to compare self-reported PM of individuals with stroke to healthy controls, to determine if PM is impaired after stroke. Additionally, self-reported PM for individuals with stroke was compared to significant-other reports, ascertaining a level of self-awareness of PM function. Twenty-eight individuals with stroke, 25 significant-others, and 27 healthy controls completed the Brief Assessment of PM (BAPM) and the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ) as part of a larger study. Individuals with stroke reported significantly more Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL) PM failures compared to controls on Part A of the BAPM. On Part B, individuals with stroke reported BADL PM failures to be less problematic/important than controls, suggesting a lack of self-awareness into the consequences of PM failure. Individuals with stroke also reported significantly more PM and RM failures compared to controls on the PRMQ. No significant differences were found between individuals with stroke and their significant-others on both the BAPM and PRMQ. Results of this study helped to clarify the previous research and highlighted that individuals with stroke reported more PM failures than controls but underestimated the importance of such memory lapses.

The Assessment and Prediction of Prospective Memory after Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: Prospective memory (PM) is the memory used when intentions are to be carried out in the future. Little research has been conducted examining PM after stroke. This study aimed to determine if PM is impaired after stroke through comparison of individuals with stroke to healthy controls. Additionally, it aimed to explore the predictors of PM performance post-stroke. METHOD: Twenty-eight individuals with stroke and 27 neurologically healthy controls completed the Cambridge Prospective Memory Test (CAMPROMPT), 2 self-report PM questionnaires, and multiple cognitive measures. RESULTS: Individuals with stroke performed significantly lower on both event- and time-based PM than controls on the CAMPROMPT, indicating PM impairment. Event-based PM after stroke was significantly predicted by age, retrospective memory (RM), and global cognitive function, whereas time-based PM was only predicted by the metacognitive skill of note-taking. Age and note-taking predicted time-based PM for controls, whereas only age predicted event-based PM for control participants. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study have helped to confirm that PM impairment does exist after stroke, particularly when using a standardised PM measure. Furthermore, PM impairment may be predicted by variables, such as age, strategy use, RM, and cognitive ability.

"Just got to live life as it comes": A case study of the spousal-dyad longitudinal mild stroke transitional experience.

Objective: To longitudinally explore the transition home for a spousal dyad following mild stroke, in the context of a mild stroke-specific health service. Research Design: A case study approach, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), was identified as suitable for this study, as it enabled the essence of the phenomenon to be examined. Method: Participants were purposively chosen from a Randomised Control Trial (RCT), to reflect the average age, gender and marital status of the mild stroke population. The participants were a male (age 64) and his wife (age 62). Participants received the RCT intervention. Semi-structured interviews were completed separately with participants at 1-, 3-, 6- and 9- months post stroke. Results: Two themes were identified: (1) The Unexpected, Undesirable and Short-Lived, and (2) The New 'Normal'. The first theme reflects the confusion, adjustment and adaptation that occurred for the couple, especially during the first month at home. The second represents the couple's journey back to their everyday lives following hospital discharge, but also the questions and changes that remained present at 9-months post-discharge. Conclusions: Themes demonstrate an ongoing process of adjustment and the contextual nature of the transitional experience. Results also indicate the need to ensure that individuals have access to mild-stroke specific information across the transition continuum.

Evaluating the Feasibility and Validity of Using Trained Allied Health Assistants to Assist in Mealtime Monitoring of Dysphagic Patients.

Growing patient numbers, within a context of finite resources, has placed increased demands on dysphagia services in acute settings. Delegating some aspects of dysphagia management to other trained professional groups, such as allied health assistants (AHA), may help speech-language pathology (SLP) service efficiencies. The primary aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and initial validity of using trained AHAs to complete structured mealtime observations of patients. The secondary aims were to explore costs and user perceptions. The study used a mixed methods design. All AHAs who participated worked in the adult acute inpatient setting and were agreeable to participate; they successfully completed training and were deemed competent to use the observation tool. To explore validity, trained AHAs (n = 7) and SLPs (n = 5) conducted independent, simultaneous mealtime observations of 50 adult inpatients, using a structured observation form. Costs of AHA versus SLP time per average assessment were compared. Consumer perceptions were examined in semi-structured interviews with the AHA (n = 5) and SLP participants (n = 3). Exact agreement between AHA and SLPs on the overall pass/fail criteria was high (94%). Where exact agreement was not achieved, the AHA had made a more conservative decision. Salary costs and time savings for the SLP were identified. Interviews identified that both SLPs and AHAs perceived multiple positive personal and service benefits. High levels of agreement in clinical decisions and positive staff perceptions support feasibility and initial clinical validity. This model may assist SP efficiencies in services with high patient demand.

Understanding Dysphagia Care in the Community Setting.

Factors including health policy reform and the aging population are increasing demand for quality healthcare in the community. People with dysphagia are supported by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in hospital and community settings; however, little is known about the nature of dysphagia services offered by SLPs in the community. The aim of this study was to investigate SLP services and practices provided to community-based adults with dysphagia. A national cohort (n = 144) of SLPs working with community-based clients with dysphagia completed an online survey. Results revealed that clients with neurological conditions comprised the largest proportion of the caseload. Primary referral sources were family doctors (42.4%) or other health professionals (37.5%), with low rates of self-referral. Services were primarily delivered via individual sessions (84.1%), usually within the client's home (80% saw clients at home). While many clinicians were using both clinical and instrumental assessments, half had to refer clients to the other services to access instrumental assessment. Most provided assessment and rehabilitation services, though a few (28.5%) reported using formal outcome or quality-of-life measures. Only 43.8% referred or encouraged clients or caregivers to access support or social groups and a few SLPs incorporated social participation or client well-being aspects in treatment. Speech-language pathology (SLP) practices in the community appear similar to what occurs in the acute setting, which are inherently biomedical. This may not be optimal care for clients with dysphagia who live at home and their caregivers. Further exploration about what clients and caregivers want from community-based SLP services is warranted.

Dysphagia care for adults in the community setting commands a different approach: perspectives of speech-language therapists.

BACKGROUND: Descriptions of community-based speech-language therapy (SLT) dysphagia practices and services are underrepresented in the research literature, despite the prevalence of dysphagia in the community. Owing to a globally ageing population and government drives to support people to remain living at home rather than in hospital or aged care, there is a growing need for SLT services to be responsive to the needs of clients living at home in the community, referred to in this study as 'community-based clients'. Exploration of current SLT services and dysphagia care practices for this population may identify ways services can be designed and enhanced to better meet the needs of clients and carers. AIMS: To explore the nature (i.e., characteristics) of dysphagia services and SLT clinical practices for adults with dysphagia living at home in the community. METHODS & PROCEDURES: Using a qualitative descriptive approach positioned within an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, this study explored SLT services and practices for adults with dysphagia living in the community to explain further and elaborate on findings from an earlier quantitative study. A total of 15 SLTs working with community-based clients with dysphagia were recruited using purposive representative sampling. Content analysis was used to explore the data. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: The overarching theme of community commands a different approach and was illustrated by three subthemes that highlighted how and why a different approach to dysphagia care in the community setting was necessary: (1) skills and mindset require adaptation in the community context; (2) values and approaches are different in the community context; and (3) organizational influences impact service delivery in the community context. From the data, it is apparent that the work undertaken in the community setting differs from dysphagia care in other settings and requires adapted SLT skills, values and approaches that encompass holistic care, client autonomy and carer engagement. SLT practices are also informed by organizational influences such as policies and resourcing, which in some services were enablers, while for others these presented challenges. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: Community-based SLT services must continue to foster flexible, responsive practices by SLTs to ensure the needs of clients and carers are met now and in future.

Speech pathologists and professional interpreters managing culturally and linguistically diverse adults with communication disorders: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Speech pathologists who work with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) adults with acquired communication disorders (ACDs), in predominately English-speaking countries, are legally and ethically bound to work with professional interpreters to overcome language barriers and provide equitable services. As levels of migration and ageing populations continue to rise globally, there will be an increasing need for speech pathologists to work with professional interpreters to manage the growing numbers of CALD adults with ACDs. Speech pathologists and professional interpreters face unique challenges when working together due to the need to focus on the intricacies of communication. AIMS: This systematic review explores how speech pathologists and professional interpreters work together to manage CALD adults with ACDs by investigating the existing research context and the challenges and strategies reportedly used by these professions. METHODS & PROCEDURES: A systematic quantitative literature review methodology was used to guide the review process, along with relevant items from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Five online scholarly databases (CINAHL, PubMED, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Web of Science) were searched using key search terms. Study inclusion criteria were: (1) original research reported in English; (2) informed our understanding of speech pathologists and professional interpreters working together; (3) focused on the management of ACDs; and (4) focused on working with CALD adults. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Ten studies that met inclusion criteria were identified and included in the review. Half of the studies were conducted in Australia. Study designs were either surveys or single-case designs (e.g., case reports or qualitative case studies). Most participants were monolingual, female speech pathologists. Interpreter participants were mainly involved in assessment tasks using face-to-face service delivery. Common challenges reported by participants were speech pathologists being unsure of the accuracies of interpretations by interpreters, and unclear role expectations from both professions. Pre-session briefings and training of both professions were the primary strategies used and recommended. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: This review identified emerging research relating to speech pathologist and professional interpreter interactions, which were limited predominantly to the perspectives of speech pathologists. Several challenges were reported. While strategies to facilitate interprofessional practice were proposed, the efficacy and utility of the strategies has not been investigated to date. Further in-depth studies are needed to examine how the professions work together, and to explore feasibility and effectiveness of implementing proposed strategies to optimize service delivery to CALD adults with ACDs.

Unveiling the complexities of mild stroke: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the mild stroke experience.

INTRODUCTION: Limited research has been conducted from a longitudinal and qualitative perspective on the experience of life after mild stroke. This restricts the knowledge held in this area. This study aimed to answer the question: How do people with mild stroke understand their experiences in the first 6 months after hospital discharge? METHODS: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, involving five Australians with mild stroke, interviewed at 1-, 3- and 6 months post-hospital discharge. RESULTS: Two themes emerged about the transitional journeys post-mild stroke: (i) Understanding and representation of stroke and (ii) Underlying relationship dynamics revealed. The first theme had two subthemes: (i) Society defines the stroke experience, and (ii) The past determines the present. The first of these reflected the impact that societal perceptions of 'stroke' had on participants' views of their mild stroke, including feelings of being 'lucky' even when experiencing hidden difficulties that were viewed as liveable repercussions. The second explores how previous health conditions acted as a mediator for participants' experiences of the mild stroke and how personal attributes assisted adaption to post-mild stroke changes. The final theme highlights how participants' relationships were either strengthened or weakened after the mild stroke, dependent on previous relationship dynamics. CONCLUSION: Current societal perceptions of stroke are centred on 'observable' symptoms; however, more subtle symptoms common in the mild stroke population remain widely unknown by the general public impacting post-mild stroke experiences. Previous health conditions and personal attributes have an impact on how people react to their mild stroke and help to explain the individualist nature of mild stroke outcomes. Relationship dynamics prior to mild stroke can impact on post-mild stroke family functioning, and should be screened for, and supported by health professionals. All of these factors emphasise the need for a patient-centred and multidisciplinary approach when determining interventions.

Pre-discharge home visits: A qualitative exploration of the experience of occupational therapists and multidisciplinary stakeholders.

INTRODUCTION: The evidence base surrounding occupational therapy pre-discharge home visits discusses current practices, potential beneficial outcomes and limitations. However, research is limited, regarding how clinical teams determine which patients receive this service. This study aims to explore perceptions of occupational therapists and multidisciplinary stakeholders concerning pre-discharge home visits through their experiences and current practice in the Australian context. METHOD: A qualitative descriptive approach, using thematic analysis, was employed. Four focus groups were included, comprising 27 health professionals: novice occupational therapists (n = 6), experienced occupational therapists (n = 8), occupational therapy managers (n = 5), and multidisciplinary team members (n = 8). RESULTS: Three key themes relating to pre-discharge home visits in clinical practice emerged. The first theme of 'Recognition of Clinical Factors' reflected that aspects of the person's occupational performance, environmental and care needs, were prime indicators considered for a pre-discharge home visit. Secondly, 'Contextual and Pragmatic Influences', described clinical setting realities as being significant considerations and strongly mediating practice. A third theme of 'Perceptions of Value' showed awareness of the utility of pre-discharge home visits, while also recognising need to enhance ongoing practice. CONCLUSION: This qualitative study provides information on factors influencing decision-making regarding pre-discharge home visits from the hospital setting. Clinical factors were presented as key considerations, but clinicians' experiences and perceptions of contextual influences suggest an explanatory factor for practice variation. While multidisciplinary stakeholders' broadly demonstrated similar rationales for pre-discharge home visits as those of occupational therapists, therapists' decision-making processes for pre-discharge home visits were shaped by their experience level. Clinicians' experience finds pre-discharge home visits to have value and in the absence of clear evidence-based criteria for whom this element of practice should be provided, participants supported the development of a decision-making support tool to assist in decision-making.

Remediation of social communication impairments following traumatic brain injury using metacognitive strategy intervention: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a pilot study to evaluate whether a novel metacognitive, goal-based intervention improved and maintained the social communication skills of adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHOD: Eight community-dwelling participants with TBI completed three study phases: (1) baseline, (2) eight-week intervention targeting social communication impairments and (3) follow-up. Participants completed the Profile of Pragmatic Impairment in Communication (PPIC), LaTrobe Communication Questionnaire (LCQ) and Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) at the commencement of baseline phase, pre- and post-intervention and completion of the follow-up phase. During the intervention programme phase, participants attended two 1-hour therapy sessions (one individual; one group) per week focusing on remediating impaired social communication skills using metacognitive strategy intervention and goal-based therapy. RESULTS: Variable changes in PPIC feature-summary scores were observed post-intervention. A non-significant improvement in LCQ scores was also observed. There was a significant increase in GAS goal T-scores following the intervention, with six of the eight participants achieving or exceeding their expected level of performance on all goals. CONCLUSION: A goal-driven, metacognitive approach to intervention may assist individuals with TBI to achieve their personal social communication goals, with benefits reported by participants and observable during conversations. Further research is required.

Speaking valves in tracheostomised ICU patients weaning off mechanical ventilation--do they facilitate lung recruitment?

BACKGROUND: Patients who require positive pressure ventilation through a tracheostomy are unable to phonate due to the inflated tracheostomy cuff. Whilst a speaking valve (SV) can be used on a tracheostomy tube, its use in ventilated ICU patients has been inhibited by concerns regarding potential deleterious effects to recovering lungs. The objective of this study was to assess end expiratory lung impedance (EELI) and standard bedside respiratory parameters before, during and after SV use in tracheostomised patients weaning from mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted in a cardio-thoracic adult ICU. 20 consecutive tracheostomised patients weaning from mechanical ventilation and using a SV were recruited. Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) was used to monitor patients' EELI. Changes in lung impedance and standard bedside respiratory data were analysed pre, during and post SV use. RESULTS: Use of in-line SVs resulted in significant increase of EELI. This effect grew and was maintained for at least 15 minutes after removal of the SV (p < 0.001). EtCO2 showed a significant drop during SV use (p = 0.01) whilst SpO2 remained unchanged. Respiratory rate (RR (breaths per minute)) decreased whilst the SV was in situ (p <0.001), and heart rate (HR (beats per minute)) was unchanged. All results were similar regardless of the patients' respiratory requirements at time of recruitment. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of critically ill ventilated patients, SVs did not cause derecruitment of the lungs when used in the ventilator weaning period. Deflating the tracheostomy cuff and restoring the airflow via the upper airway with a one-way valve may facilitate lung recruitment during and after SV use, as indicated by increased EELI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Anna-Liisa Sutt, Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). ACTRN: ACTRN12615000589583. 4/6/2015.

Predictors of health-related quality of life in people with a complex chronic disease including multimorbidity: a longitudinal cohort study.

PURPOSE: Factors that predict the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with complex chronic diseases have not been investigated to date. Determining the impact of disease on daily activities is a factor that is particularly important with this group of people. This study examined the influence of a range of predictors (including the impact of chronic diseases on daily activities), on HRQoL in patients with complex chronic diseases over a 12-month period. METHOD: A longitudinal cohort study was conducted with outcomes measured at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months post-baseline. Adults attending an Australian community-based rehabilitation service were included. HRQoL was measured using the SF-36 and corresponding preference-based health utility. Predictor variables included sociodemographic factors, disease factors (e.g. impact of diseases on daily activities), intervention factors, psychosocial factors and HRQoL components that were not included as the dependent variable. Linear mixed-effects regression was used to examine the relationship between predictor variables and HRQoL. RESULTS: Data from 351 participants were included. The impact of chronic disease on daily activities was the most frequent significant predictor of HRQoL outcomes. Other significant predictors included the impact of chronic back pain or sciatica on daily activities, the number of comorbidities, general health functioning and psychological distress. CONCLUSION: Models of health care for people with complex chronic disease may be enhanced by greater focus on patients' daily activities during assessment and intervention delivery. The range of significant predictors highlights the importance of an interdisciplinary team for managing complex chronic disease or targeted intervention strategies.

Systematic Review of Behavioral Interventions Targeting Social Communication Difficulties After Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether behavioral interventions are beneficial for adults with social communication difficulties after traumatic brain injury (TBI). DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases were searched through October 2013 to find behavioral intervention trials. Keywords used in our search were intervention, therapy, treatment, and program combined with pragmatic disorder, pragmatic impairment, social communication disorder/impairment, conversation disorder/impairment, social disorder/impairment, cognitive-linguistic and cognitive-communication deficit; adult; and traumatic brain injury, head injury, and brain injury. Hand searches of the reference lists of relevant articles were also conducted. STUDY SELECTION: To be selected for detailed review, articles found in the initial search were assessed by 2 reviewers and had to meet the following criteria: (1) population (adults with TBI); (2) intervention (behavioral intervention); and (3) outcomes (changes in social communication). Articles needed to describe interventions that were delivered directly to adults with TBI with or without other people (such as significant others) involved. Of the 2181 articles initially identified, 15 were selected for detailed review. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were independently extracted by members of the research team, then collated and reviewed by the team. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of the 15 publications that met the study criteria, 7 were single-case design studies, 3 were randomized controlled trials, 1 was a nonrandomized controlled trial, and 4 were cohort studies. The methodological qualities of eligible articles were examined using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database and Single-Case Experimental Design rating scales. The interventions described in the studies fell into 2 broad categories: those addressing a specific impairment in social communication, and context-specific interventions with a holistic focus on social communication skills. Studies using context-sensitive approaches had been published more recently and were generally group studies with higher methodological quality. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, interventions addressing social communication skills for people with TBI were found to be beneficial irrespective of treatment approach used. While the evidence base is small and with varying levels of scientific rigor, there is a body of quality evidence that supports the use of context-sensitive approaches. Further research is still required to determine the role of impairment-specific versus context-specific interventions when treating individuals with social communication difficulties after TBI to inform clinical decision-making.