International journal of language & communication disorders
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Int J Lang Commun Disord · Jul 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyA randomized, rater-blinded, parallel trial of intensive speech therapy in sub-acute post-stroke aphasia: the SP-I-R-IT study.
There is conflicting evidence regarding the benefits of intensive speech and language therapy (SLT), particularly because intensity is often confounded with total SLT provided. ⋯ This study suggests that, in the sub-acute period following stroke and controlling for the number of hours of SLT provided, there is a trend for a greater improvement in language and functional communication measures with IT compared with RT. The lack of statistical significance in results was probably due to the small sample size.
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Int J Lang Commun Disord · Jul 2013
Clinical TrialThe Living with Dysarthria group for post-stroke dysarthria: the participant voice.
The Living with Dysarthria group programme, devised for people with post-stroke dysarthia and family members, was piloted twice. Feedback from those who experience an intervention contributes to the evaluation of speech and language therapy programmes, giving the participant view of the intervention's value and guiding further developments. ⋯ Participant feedback indicates that group therapy, with family member participation, is a valid form of management for chronic post-stroke dysarthria. Education, peer and professional support, and speech practice are confirmed as relevant programme components. Consistent majority opinions were communicated in different situations and via varied mediums. Some individuals expressed views relevant to their own needs, and these responses also inform future implementation of the Living with Dysarthria programme.
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Int J Lang Commun Disord · Jul 2013
Competent in evidence-based practice (EBP): validation of a measurement tool that measures EBP self-efficacy and task value in speech-language therapy students.
Worldwide speech-language therapy (SLT) students are educated in evidence-based practice (EBP). For students to use EBP in their future day-to-day clinical practice, they must value EBP as positive and must feel confident in using it. For curricula developers it is therefore important to know the impact their teaching has on these aspects of students' motivational beliefs. ⋯ The study provides evidence on the internal consistency and construct validity of this questionnaire to evaluate EBP task value and self-efficacy in SLT students. As is common with new measures, more research is needed to evaluate further its psychometric properties.