Perceptual and Acoustic Analysis of Speech in Spinocerebellar ataxia Type 1.

This study characterizes the speech phenotype of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) using both perceptual and objective acoustic analysis of speech in a cohort of SCA1 patients. Twenty-seven symptomatic SCA1 patients in various disease stages (SARA score range: 3-32 points) and 18 sex and age matched healthy controls underwent a clinical assessment addressing ataxia severity, non-ataxia signs, cognitive functioning, and speech. Speech samples were perceptually rated by trained speech therapists, and acoustic metrics representing speech timing, vocal control, and voice quality were extracted. Perceptual analysis revealed reduced intelligibility and naturalness in speech samples of SCA1 patients. Acoustically, SCA1 patients presented with slower speech rate and diadochokinetic rate as well as longer syllable duration compared to healthy controls. No distinct abnormalities in voice quality in the acoustic analysis were detected at group level. Both the affected perceptual and acoustic variables correlated with ataxia severity. Longitudinal assessment of speech is needed to place changes in speech in the context of disease progression and potential response to treatment.

Evaluating communication partner training in healthcare centres: Understanding the mechanisms of behaviour change.

BACKGROUND: Communication between people with aphasia and their healthcare professionals (HCPs) can be greatly improved when HCPs are trained in using supportive conversation techniques and tools. Communication partner training (CPT) is an umbrella term that covers a range of interventions that train the conversation partners of people with aphasia. Several CPT interventions for HCPs have been developed and used to support HCPs to interact successfully with people with aphasia. AIMS: The objective of this study was to identify the mechanisms of change as a result of a Dutch CPT intervention, named CommuniCare, in order to evaluate and optimise the intervention. METHODS & PROCEDURES: A total of 254 HCPs from five different healthcare centres received CommuniCare. An explorative qualitative research design was chosen. Two interviews were conducted with 24 HCPs directly after and 4 months after receiving the training that was part of CommuniCare. Two conceptual frameworks were used to deductively code the interviews. HCPs' perspectives were coded into a four-part sequence following CIMO logic: the self-reported use of supportive conversation techniques or tools pre-intervention (Context), the intervention elements (Intervention) that evoked certain mechanisms (Mechanisms), resulting in the self-reported use of supportive conversation techniques and tools post-intervention (Outcomes). The Capabilities Opportunities Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model was used to fill in the Mechanisms component. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Three themes were identified to describe the mechanisms of change that led to an increase in the use of supportive conversation techniques and tools. According to HCPs, (i) information, videos, e-learning modules, role-play, feedback during training and coaching on the job increased their psychological capabilities; (ii) information and role-play increased their automatic motivations; and (iii) information, videos and role-play increased their reflective motivations. Remaining findings show HCPs' perspectives on various barriers to use supportive conversation techniques and tools. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: HCPs in this study identified elements in our CPT intervention that positively influenced their behaviour change. Of these, role-play and coaching on the job were particularly important. HCPs suggested this last element should be better implemented. Therefore, healthcare settings wishing to enhance HCPs' communication skills should first consider enhancing HCPs' opportunities for experiential learning. Second, healthcare settings should determine which HCPs are suitable to have a role as implementation support practitioners, to support their colleagues in the use of supportive conversation techniques and tools. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject? Several communication partner training (CPT) interventions for healthcare professionals (HCPs) have been developed and used to support HCPs to interact successfully with people with aphasia. To date, there is limited evidence of the mechanisms of change that explain exactly what changes in HCPs' behaviour after CPT and why these changes take place. What this paper adds to existing knowledge Evaluating our CPT intervention by identifying mechanisms of change from the perspectives of HCPs provided us with: (i) a better understanding of the elements that should be included in CPT interventions in different contexts; and (ii) an understanding of the important remaining barriers identified by HCPs to use supportive conversation techniques, even after CPT is implemented. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? This study shows the different intervention elements in our CPT intervention that improve HCPs' capabilities, motivations or opportunities to use supportive conversation techniques and tools. Essential ingredients of CPT according to HCPs in this study were role-play and coaching on the job by an expert and were linked to an increase in HCPs' motivations or beliefs about self-competency. Healthcare settings wishing to enhance HCPs' communication skills should therefore consider appointing implementation support practitioners to coach and support HCPs, and facilitate these practitioners to fulfil this role.

Language impairment in cerebellar ataxia.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have suggested that language impairment can be observed in patients with cerebellar pathology. The aim of this study was to investigate language performance in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6). METHODS: We assessed speech and language in 29 SCA6 patients with standardized linquistic tests and correlated this with the severity of ataxia, as quantified by the Scale of Assessment and Rating of Ataxia. RESULTS: Individual patients show mild-to-moderate linguistic impairment. Linguistic abnormalities were most distinct on the writing and comprehension subtests. A strong correlation between severity of ataxia and linguistic performance was consistently found. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the occurrence of linguistic impairments in patients with cerebellar degenerative diseases, such as SCA6. The relation between linguistic abnormalities and severity of ataxia provides further evidence for a role of the cerebellum in linguistic processing.