Self-reported longitudinal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults with acquired communication disorders.

Abstract

Purpose: Adults with acquired communication disorders are particularly vulnerable to potential negative effects from the changes that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this longitudinal study, we asked: How did the self-perceived impacts of the pandemic on adults with acquired communication disorders change over time?

Method: We developed an online survey to investigate changes in day-to-day behaviours, psychosocial elements, and communication abilities among members of a community-based stroke recovery centre in the USA. Participants included adults with aphasia or other cognitive-communication disorder from stroke or brain injury. We compared survey responses from summer 2020 (n = 50) and summer 2021 (n = 24) using a concurrent mixed methods design.

Result: The impacts of the pandemic changed over time. By 2021, participants reported a more "normal" amount of time spent on in-person socialising and healthcare, improved quality of life and connectedness to others, and an improvement in overall communication ability. Across both years, participants shared comments regarding changes in routine, increased use of technology, and the positive benefit of therapy groups.

Conclusion: Self-perceived psychosocial elements and communication abilities among stroke and other brain injury survivors changed over the course of the pandemic. Clinicians and researchers should continue providing this population with support and opportunities for engagement.