<div> <section> <h3> Background</h3> <p>Artificial intelligence (AI) shows promise to support the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in medicine and therapy. However, ethics is a priority concern in the development and implementation of AI across sectors. Common ethical themes in the healthcare literature of the last 5 years surround algorithmic bias, accountability, privacy, transparency and trust issues. The question arises how these challenges apply to speech and language therapy (SLT). Stakeholder attitudes towards the use of AI in healthcare have been investigated for the populations of physicians, medical students, and patients. However, no study has yet addressed the specific perspective of speech and language therapists on this technology.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Aims</h3> <p>Therefore, the aim was to gather insights on the attitudes, hopes and concerns towards the (future) use of artificial intelligence from speech and language therapists working in clinical practice or research.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Method and Procedures</h3> <p>An online survey with 11 closed and three open-ended questions was conducted in four German speaking countries. The quantitative analysis of the results involved correlating demographic factors, such as age, with the responses. The qualitative analysis compared the responses to this survey with the findings of healthcare literature and studies addressing other healthcare stakeholders.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Outcomes and Results</h3> <p>Five hundred eighty-seven professionals from Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein answered the questionnaire. In the results all but 3% of the participants expect that AI will be applied at least to some extend in SLT in the future. The majority of the participants (65%) are open-minded towards the application of AI in SLT. Perceived potential benefits show a larger overlap than identified challenges with the existing literature. The possible loss of the ‘human-factor’ in assessment and therapy is by far the most frequent concern (41%) the participating speech and language therapists have towards the use of AI. Results further reflect the current level of knowledge about this technology in our profession.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Conclusions and Implications</h3> <p>The use of AI in SLT can have a positive impact, but many factors need to be considered to prepare our profession for this type of technology. These include the expansion of education, the development of guidelines and the establishment of interdisciplinary collaborations
{"title":"The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Speech and Language Therapy: Attitudes and Expectations","authors":"Hanna Ehlert, Ulrike Lüdtke","doi":"10.1111/1460-6984.70172","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1460-6984.70172","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Artificial intelligence (AI) shows promise to support the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in medicine and therapy. However, ethics is a priority concern in the development and implementation of AI across sectors. Common ethical themes in the healthcare literature of the last 5 years surround algorithmic bias, accountability, privacy, transparency and trust issues. The question arises how these challenges apply to speech and language therapy (SLT). Stakeholder attitudes towards the use of AI in healthcare have been investigated for the populations of physicians, medical students, and patients. However, no study has yet addressed the specific perspective of speech and language therapists on this technology.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Therefore, the aim was to gather insights on the attitudes, hopes and concerns towards the (future) use of artificial intelligence from speech and language therapists working in clinical practice or research.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method and Procedures</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>An online survey with 11 closed and three open-ended questions was conducted in four German speaking countries. The quantitative analysis of the results involved correlating demographic factors, such as age, with the responses. The qualitative analysis compared the responses to this survey with the findings of healthcare literature and studies addressing other healthcare stakeholders.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Outcomes and Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Five hundred eighty-seven professionals from Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein answered the questionnaire. In the results all but 3% of the participants expect that AI will be applied at least to some extend in SLT in the future. The majority of the participants (65%) are open-minded towards the application of AI in SLT. Perceived potential benefits show a larger overlap than identified challenges with the existing literature. The possible loss of the ‘human-factor’ in assessment and therapy is by far the most frequent concern (41%) the participating speech and language therapists have towards the use of AI. Results further reflect the current level of knowledge about this technology in our profession.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions and Implications</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The use of AI in SLT can have a positive impact, but many factors need to be considered to prepare our profession for this type of technology. These include the expansion of education, the development of guidelines and the establishment of interdisciplinary collaborations ","PeriodicalId":49182,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders","volume":"61 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145727027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eline Alons, Bianca Berndsen-van Swaaij, Caroline Terwee, Ellen Gerrits, Margreet Luinge, Lizet van Ewijk
<div> <section> <h3> Background</h3> <p>Communicative participation is the most important outcome of speech and language therapy. A patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for children would help capture this outcome. Before this PROM can be developed, it is important to find out what situations children themselves find difficult because of their communication problem.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Aims</h3> <p>The aim of the study was to identify relevant aspects of self-reported communicative participation in children with communication disorders.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Method and Procedures</h3> <p>Thirteen children (5–12 years old) with speech disorders, developmental language disorders (DLDs), voice disorders and/or hearing loss were interviewed with semi-structured interviews. Before the interview they kept a diary for 1 week, documenting participation situations that were difficult because of their communication problem. Within 1 week after completing the diaries, the children were interviewed. In addition, children's ability to recall situations and reflect upon communicative participation was observed. The data analysis was conducted using directed content analysis, drawing on an existing theoretical framework.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Outcomes and Results</h3> <p>A total of 171 situations were discussed, leading to the identification of 44 concepts, categorized into the following six categories: <i>person, topic, pace, location, moment</i> and <i>mode</i>. Some of the participants had difficulty recalling situations, and reflecting upon communicative participation. This was particularly true for children under 8 years of age (all with DLD) and two children over 8 years of age with DLD and an indication for a school for children with special needs.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Conclusions and Implications</h3> <p>The 44 concepts provide insight into the difficulties in communicative participation experienced by children themselves. These concepts will be used to develop a PROM to assess children's communicative participation.</p> </section> <section> <h3> WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS</h3> <div><i>What is already known on this subject</i> <ul> <li>Communicative participation is the key outcome of speech and language therapy. However, there is a lack of meas
{"title":"Self-Experienced Difficulties in Communicative Participation in Children With Speech, Language and Communication Needs—A Concept Elicitation Study","authors":"Eline Alons, Bianca Berndsen-van Swaaij, Caroline Terwee, Ellen Gerrits, Margreet Luinge, Lizet van Ewijk","doi":"10.1111/1460-6984.70170","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1460-6984.70170","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Communicative participation is the most important outcome of speech and language therapy. A patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for children would help capture this outcome. Before this PROM can be developed, it is important to find out what situations children themselves find difficult because of their communication problem.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The aim of the study was to identify relevant aspects of self-reported communicative participation in children with communication disorders.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method and Procedures</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Thirteen children (5–12 years old) with speech disorders, developmental language disorders (DLDs), voice disorders and/or hearing loss were interviewed with semi-structured interviews. Before the interview they kept a diary for 1 week, documenting participation situations that were difficult because of their communication problem. Within 1 week after completing the diaries, the children were interviewed. In addition, children's ability to recall situations and reflect upon communicative participation was observed. The data analysis was conducted using directed content analysis, drawing on an existing theoretical framework.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Outcomes and Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A total of 171 situations were discussed, leading to the identification of 44 concepts, categorized into the following six categories: <i>person, topic, pace, location, moment</i> and <i>mode</i>. Some of the participants had difficulty recalling situations, and reflecting upon communicative participation. This was particularly true for children under 8 years of age (all with DLD) and two children over 8 years of age with DLD and an indication for a school for children with special needs.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions and Implications</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The 44 concepts provide insight into the difficulties in communicative participation experienced by children themselves. These concepts will be used to develop a PROM to assess children's communicative participation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <div><i>What is already known on this subject</i>\u0000 \u0000 <ul>\u0000 \u0000 <li>Communicative participation is the key outcome of speech and language therapy. However, there is a lack of meas","PeriodicalId":49182,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders","volume":"61 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1460-6984.70170","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145727030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
<div> <section> <h3> Background</h3> <p>Everyone, regardless of whether they have disabilities, has the right to be heard and to participate in decisions that affect them, including their rehabilitation. Right to self-determination extends to individuals with severe speech impairments who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Self-assessment instruments can be used when exercising this right. Historically, there has been a limited focus on self-assessment instruments within the AAC field. This gap highlights the need to explore self-assessment in AAC, motivating this scoping review.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Aims</h3> <p>The aim was to identify and characterize the self-assessment instruments developed in the AAC field to date. Our specific aim was to investigate the existing self-assessment instruments for both adult and paediatric AAC populations and identify gaps. We aimed to describe the availability, administration procedures and intended purposes of these instruments related to functional ability.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Methods</h3> <p>The PRISMA protocol for scoping reviews was followed for the search, inclusion, extraction and analysis of the studies. We included articles where self-assessment instruments were used by or considered for people who use AAC (PWUAAC). The aims of the instruments were analysed according to the categories in the personal factors domain of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) framework.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Main Contributions</h3> <p>The review presents a list of self-assessment instruments along with a thorough description for each. This list can be used in clinical practice and research in the AAC field. The lack of instruments in several areas should inspire their further development. A systematic approach to self-assessment in AAC could enhance autonomy and improve interventions.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Conclusions</h3> <p>The review identified 22 instruments for self-assessment for PWUAAC of different ages, and most instruments used scales for responses. The focus of the instruments was on exploring the thoughts and beliefs of PWUAAC. The review revealed a lack of instruments addressing feelings, motives and non-English languages, as well as a need to improve the instruments' psychometric properties.</p> </section> <section> <h3> WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS</h3>
{"title":"Self-Assessment Instruments Related to Functional Ability for People Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication—A Scoping Review","authors":"Irina Savolainen, Maja Sigurd Pilesjö","doi":"10.1111/1460-6984.70171","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1460-6984.70171","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Everyone, regardless of whether they have disabilities, has the right to be heard and to participate in decisions that affect them, including their rehabilitation. Right to self-determination extends to individuals with severe speech impairments who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Self-assessment instruments can be used when exercising this right. Historically, there has been a limited focus on self-assessment instruments within the AAC field. This gap highlights the need to explore self-assessment in AAC, motivating this scoping review.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The aim was to identify and characterize the self-assessment instruments developed in the AAC field to date. Our specific aim was to investigate the existing self-assessment instruments for both adult and paediatric AAC populations and identify gaps. We aimed to describe the availability, administration procedures and intended purposes of these instruments related to functional ability.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The PRISMA protocol for scoping reviews was followed for the search, inclusion, extraction and analysis of the studies. We included articles where self-assessment instruments were used by or considered for people who use AAC (PWUAAC). The aims of the instruments were analysed according to the categories in the personal factors domain of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) framework.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Main Contributions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The review presents a list of self-assessment instruments along with a thorough description for each. This list can be used in clinical practice and research in the AAC field. The lack of instruments in several areas should inspire their further development. A systematic approach to self-assessment in AAC could enhance autonomy and improve interventions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The review identified 22 instruments for self-assessment for PWUAAC of different ages, and most instruments used scales for responses. The focus of the instruments was on exploring the thoughts and beliefs of PWUAAC. The review revealed a lack of instruments addressing feelings, motives and non-English languages, as well as a need to improve the instruments' psychometric properties.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS</h3>\u0000 \u0000 ","PeriodicalId":49182,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders","volume":"61 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1460-6984.70171","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145727078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katharina Winiker, Sarah Stierli, Martin W. G. Brinkhof, Samra Hamzic, Hans Schwegler, Gabi Mueller
<div> <section> <h3> Background</h3> <p>Tracheostomy management aims to achieve optimal decannulation outcomes in tracheostomized patients. Successful removal of the tracheal cannula (decannulation) is key from a physical and psychological health perspective. Decannulation success is commonly defined as the absence of physical complications leading to re-cannulation within a few hours or days post-decannulation. However, this definition does not account for complications occurring weeks or months later, or for (serious) complications that require actions other than re-cannulation. Additionally, the definition neglects the patients’ experience of the decannulation outcome. This manuscript outlines the protocol of a study designed to comprehensively evaluate decannulation outcomes long-term, incorporating both physical and psychological variables.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Methods</h3> <p>This longitudinal, prospective, single-centre mixed-methods observational study entitled ‘Outcomes of tracheostomy decannulation: A longitudinal observational study’ aims to include a consecutive sample of 150 adult inpatients hospitalized in a large neurological rehabilitation centre specialized for spinal cord injury and prolonged weaning. Adult inpatients of various diagnoses who have undergone tracheostomy are eligible for inclusion if decannulation is sought and occurs in the study centre and if they are able to communicate in German, French, Italian, or English. Outcomes of interest include the rate and type of physical complications (occurring up to 3 months post-decannulation) and the consequences (e.g., intubation), the patients’ view on benefits/harms of decannulation, and human flourishing pre- and post-decannulation. Candidate prognostic variables for complications post-decannulation are examined 1 week prior to decannulation and 1 month and 3 months post-decannulation. Data relating to the decannulation process, including decannulation criteria, will be recorded. Complication rates will be evaluated over 3 months post-decannulation using Kaplan–Meier and Nelson–Aalen estimators and time-to-event analysis. Decannulation-related complications will be descriptively analysed. Longitudinal changes in patient perspectives on decannulation outcomes are qualitatively and descriptively assessed, and the distribution across groups with and without complications is assessed.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Discussion</h3> <p>A comprehensive understanding of physical and psychological decannulation outcomes will build the basis for optimized clinical decisions related to tracheostomy management and guide the development of an evidence-based clinical guideline for decannulation management.</p> </section>
{"title":"Outcomes of Tracheostomy Decannulation: Study Protocol for a Longitudinal Observational Study","authors":"Katharina Winiker, Sarah Stierli, Martin W. G. Brinkhof, Samra Hamzic, Hans Schwegler, Gabi Mueller","doi":"10.1111/1460-6984.70165","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1460-6984.70165","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Tracheostomy management aims to achieve optimal decannulation outcomes in tracheostomized patients. Successful removal of the tracheal cannula (decannulation) is key from a physical and psychological health perspective. Decannulation success is commonly defined as the absence of physical complications leading to re-cannulation within a few hours or days post-decannulation. However, this definition does not account for complications occurring weeks or months later, or for (serious) complications that require actions other than re-cannulation. Additionally, the definition neglects the patients’ experience of the decannulation outcome. This manuscript outlines the protocol of a study designed to comprehensively evaluate decannulation outcomes long-term, incorporating both physical and psychological variables.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This longitudinal, prospective, single-centre mixed-methods observational study entitled ‘Outcomes of tracheostomy decannulation: A longitudinal observational study’ aims to include a consecutive sample of 150 adult inpatients hospitalized in a large neurological rehabilitation centre specialized for spinal cord injury and prolonged weaning. Adult inpatients of various diagnoses who have undergone tracheostomy are eligible for inclusion if decannulation is sought and occurs in the study centre and if they are able to communicate in German, French, Italian, or English. Outcomes of interest include the rate and type of physical complications (occurring up to 3 months post-decannulation) and the consequences (e.g., intubation), the patients’ view on benefits/harms of decannulation, and human flourishing pre- and post-decannulation. Candidate prognostic variables for complications post-decannulation are examined 1 week prior to decannulation and 1 month and 3 months post-decannulation. Data relating to the decannulation process, including decannulation criteria, will be recorded. Complication rates will be evaluated over 3 months post-decannulation using Kaplan–Meier and Nelson–Aalen estimators and time-to-event analysis. Decannulation-related complications will be descriptively analysed. Longitudinal changes in patient perspectives on decannulation outcomes are qualitatively and descriptively assessed, and the distribution across groups with and without complications is assessed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A comprehensive understanding of physical and psychological decannulation outcomes will build the basis for optimized clinical decisions related to tracheostomy management and guide the development of an evidence-based clinical guideline for decannulation management.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 ","PeriodicalId":49182,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders","volume":"61 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145702572","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sofia Strömbergsson, Ella Edlund, Magdalena Pettersson, Nhan Phan, Mikko Kurimo
<div> <section> <h3> Background</h3> <p>For children with speech sound disorder (SSD), speech intervention often involves a considerable amount of home-training, to achieve high-enough training frequency to promote speech change. A digital speech-training app has been developed that could serve as a cost-effective means of providing accessible intervention to children with SSD.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Aims</h3> <p>To evaluate whether self-supervised home-training with the app <i>Pop2TalkNordic</i> can expedite more target-like speech for children with SSD and to explore children's experiences of using the app.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Methods and Procedures</h3> <p>Four 4–6-year-old Swedish children with SSD participated in a single-case experimental design study, with a multiple-baseline across-subjects design. The children's production of target error patterns was monitored during baseline and intervention phases, for trained and untrained stimulus words. Three weeks of self-supervised training with the app, with an aspired frequency of 5 days a week, in 15-min training sessions, served as the intervention. The children's app usage was tracked, and their production of target word stimuli was recorded via the app.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Outcomes and Results</h3> <p>None of the children reached more target-like production of targeted consonants as a result of the intervention. For two participants, slight improvement was observed on trained, but not untrained, word stimuli. In terms of user experiences, the children varied from liking the game a lot and finding it easy, to not liking the game much at all and finding it difficult.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Conclusions and Implications</h3> <p>In its current form, and when delivered as a self-supervised training-activity over three weeks, training with <i>Pop2TalkNordic</i> is not sufficient to expedite more target-like speech in children with SSD. More parental engagement in the children's training with the app, and changes in game design (e.g., highlighting phonological contrast and allowing playback of multiple exemplars of target word items), are suggested routes to achieve better outcomes.</p> </section> <section> <h3> WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS</h3> <div><i>What is already known on this subject</i> <ul>
{"title":"Self-Supervised App-Based Speech Training for Children With Speech Sound Disorder—A Single-Case Experimental Design Study","authors":"Sofia Strömbergsson, Ella Edlund, Magdalena Pettersson, Nhan Phan, Mikko Kurimo","doi":"10.1111/1460-6984.70163","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.70163","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>For children with speech sound disorder (SSD), speech intervention often involves a considerable amount of home-training, to achieve high-enough training frequency to promote speech change. A digital speech-training app has been developed that could serve as a cost-effective means of providing accessible intervention to children with SSD.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>To evaluate whether self-supervised home-training with the app <i>Pop2TalkNordic</i> can expedite more target-like speech for children with SSD and to explore children's experiences of using the app.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods and Procedures</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Four 4–6-year-old Swedish children with SSD participated in a single-case experimental design study, with a multiple-baseline across-subjects design. The children's production of target error patterns was monitored during baseline and intervention phases, for trained and untrained stimulus words. Three weeks of self-supervised training with the app, with an aspired frequency of 5 days a week, in 15-min training sessions, served as the intervention. The children's app usage was tracked, and their production of target word stimuli was recorded via the app.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Outcomes and Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>None of the children reached more target-like production of targeted consonants as a result of the intervention. For two participants, slight improvement was observed on trained, but not untrained, word stimuli. In terms of user experiences, the children varied from liking the game a lot and finding it easy, to not liking the game much at all and finding it difficult.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions and Implications</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In its current form, and when delivered as a self-supervised training-activity over three weeks, training with <i>Pop2TalkNordic</i> is not sufficient to expedite more target-like speech in children with SSD. More parental engagement in the children's training with the app, and changes in game design (e.g., highlighting phonological contrast and allowing playback of multiple exemplars of target word items), are suggested routes to achieve better outcomes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <div><i>What is already known on this subject</i>\u0000 \u0000 <ul>\u0000 \u0000 ","PeriodicalId":49182,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders","volume":"61 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1460-6984.70163","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145646461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sofiana Mootassim-Billah, Gwen Van Nuffelen, Jean Schoentgen, Marc De Bodt, Hichem Slama, Mathilde Le Tensorer, Dirk Van Gestel
<div> <section> <h3> Background</h3> <p>Coughing and throat clearing are different airway protective manoeuvres elicited in the framework of dysphagia. However, coughing and throat clearing may be auditorily confused during a clinical swallowing evaluation. In addition, literature reporting comparisons between coughing and throat clearing via gold standard airflow metrics is lacking.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Aims</h3> <p>To report quantitative airflow data for voluntary throat clearing, and to examine in a healthy population the aerodynamical differences between voluntary throat clearing, voluntary cough and induced reflexive cough.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Methods and Procedures</h3> <p>Forty healthy participants were included in the study. Airflow measurements were obtained from single voluntary throat clearings, single voluntary coughs and the first two induced reflexive coughs of the reflexive cough epoch. The measurements included the peak expiratory flow rate in litres/s and the cough expired volume in litres of each single manoeuvre.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Outcomes and Results</h3> <p>Results showed that voluntary throat clearing displayed lower airflow feature values compared to voluntary cough and induced reflexive cough (<i>p</i> < 0.001).</p> </section> <section> <h3> Conclusions and Implications</h3> <p>Voluntary throat clearings were aerodynamically significantly different from voluntary and reflexive coughs. Future studies should determine whether these differences reflect distinct impacts on airway protection. In dysphagic populations, instrumental assessment of throat clearing may enhance clinical swallowing evaluations.</p> </section> <section> <h3> WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS</h3> <div><i>What is already known on this subject</i> <ul> <li>A large body of literature has emphasized airflow differences between voluntary coughs and induced reflexive coughs, supporting physiological differences between both types of manoeuvres and complementary roles with regard to airway protection. Throat clearing is another airway protective manoeuvre anecdotally considered during a clinical swallowing evaluation and in literature. In addition, throat clearing is confused with coughing, and little is known regarding its ability to protect the airways.</li>
{"title":"Airflow Features Obtained From Voluntary Throat Clearing Compared to Voluntary Cough and Induced Reflexive Cough in a Healthy Population","authors":"Sofiana Mootassim-Billah, Gwen Van Nuffelen, Jean Schoentgen, Marc De Bodt, Hichem Slama, Mathilde Le Tensorer, Dirk Van Gestel","doi":"10.1111/1460-6984.70160","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1460-6984.70160","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Coughing and throat clearing are different airway protective manoeuvres elicited in the framework of dysphagia. However, coughing and throat clearing may be auditorily confused during a clinical swallowing evaluation. In addition, literature reporting comparisons between coughing and throat clearing via gold standard airflow metrics is lacking.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>To report quantitative airflow data for voluntary throat clearing, and to examine in a healthy population the aerodynamical differences between voluntary throat clearing, voluntary cough and induced reflexive cough.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods and Procedures</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Forty healthy participants were included in the study. Airflow measurements were obtained from single voluntary throat clearings, single voluntary coughs and the first two induced reflexive coughs of the reflexive cough epoch. The measurements included the peak expiratory flow rate in litres/s and the cough expired volume in litres of each single manoeuvre.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Outcomes and Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Results showed that voluntary throat clearing displayed lower airflow feature values compared to voluntary cough and induced reflexive cough (<i>p</i> < 0.001).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions and Implications</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Voluntary throat clearings were aerodynamically significantly different from voluntary and reflexive coughs. Future studies should determine whether these differences reflect distinct impacts on airway protection. In dysphagic populations, instrumental assessment of throat clearing may enhance clinical swallowing evaluations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <div><i>What is already known on this subject</i>\u0000 \u0000 <ul>\u0000 \u0000 <li>A large body of literature has emphasized airflow differences between voluntary coughs and induced reflexive coughs, supporting physiological differences between both types of manoeuvres and complementary roles with regard to airway protection. Throat clearing is another airway protective manoeuvre anecdotally considered during a clinical swallowing evaluation and in literature. In addition, throat clearing is confused with coughing, and little is known regarding its ability to protect the airways.</li>\u0000 ","PeriodicalId":49182,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders","volume":"60 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12621289/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145543702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Previous studies have reported a moderate influence of environmental factors in the aetiology of stuttering. However, psychological and socio-environmental factors in stuttering are often studied independently without exploring their relationships. This makes it difficult to know which factors are most important, especially among adults who stutter (AWS), as much research has focused on the child and adolescents population. The aim of this study was to address these gaps.
Methods
After reviewing the literature, a new stuttering scale (PCS-3) was developed to capture the severity of stuttering as experienced by AWS. One hundred and three participants were recruited across five continents from online English-speaking stuttering forums. Participants were between the ages of 18–72. Seventy percent of the sample population were under 30 years old, and 66% were male. Participants with ongoing medical conditions or treatment were excluded. Backward elimination regression was used to identify the most important factors among the tested variables, followed by structural equation modelling to explore their relationship and effects on PCS-3.
Findings
The findings suggest that a history of neglect, anxiety, younger adult age and avoidant attachment are risk factors of stuttering severity in this adult sample. However, their effect on stuttering was indirect via a latent self-regulatory capacity (C) construct. Only age had a direct and indirect (via C) small to moderate effect on stuttering. C consistently had a negative moderate to large effect on stuttering across all tested models as measured by the PCS-3. Both age and C accounted for 37% of the variance of stuttering. Implications for research, interventions and limitations are discussed.
WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS
What is already known on this subject
Previous findings on stuttering have indicated moderate environmental contributions to its aetiology, but little remains known of the specific environmental influences, especially in adulthood. Most psychological research has studied different variables independently without much consideration of their underlying relationships.
What this paper adds to existing knowledge
Psychosocial variables were found to have an indirect effect on self-reported stuttering in adulthood through the latent con
{"title":"Not Anxiety but Self-Regulatory Capacity and Age Predicts Self-Reported Stuttering Severity in Adults Who Stutter (AWS)","authors":"Victor Penda","doi":"10.1111/1460-6984.70156","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1460-6984.70156","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Previous studies have reported a moderate influence of environmental factors in the aetiology of stuttering. However, psychological and socio-environmental factors in stuttering are often studied independently without exploring their relationships. This makes it difficult to know which factors are most important, especially among adults who stutter (AWS), as much research has focused on the child and adolescents population. The aim of this study was to address these gaps.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>After reviewing the literature, a new stuttering scale (PCS-3) was developed to capture the severity of stuttering as experienced by AWS. One hundred and three participants were recruited across five continents from online English-speaking stuttering forums. Participants were between the ages of 18–72. Seventy percent of the sample population were under 30 years old, and 66% were male. Participants with ongoing medical conditions or treatment were excluded. Backward elimination regression was used to identify the most important factors among the tested variables, followed by structural equation modelling to explore their relationship and effects on PCS-3.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Findings</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The findings suggest that a history of neglect, anxiety, younger adult age and avoidant attachment are risk factors of stuttering severity in this adult sample. However, their effect on stuttering was indirect via a latent self-regulatory capacity (C) construct. Only age had a direct and indirect (via C) small to moderate effect on stuttering. C consistently had a negative moderate to large effect on stuttering across all tested models as measured by the PCS-3. Both age and C accounted for 37% of the variance of stuttering. Implications for research, interventions and limitations are discussed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <div><i>What is already known on this subject</i>\u0000 \u0000 <ul>\u0000 \u0000 <li>Previous findings on stuttering have indicated moderate environmental contributions to its aetiology, but little remains known of the specific environmental influences, especially in adulthood. Most psychological research has studied different variables independently without much consideration of their underlying relationships.</li>\u0000 </ul>\u0000 <i>What this paper adds to existing knowledge</i>\u0000 \u0000 <ul>\u0000 \u0000 <li>Psychosocial variables were found to have an indirect effect on self-reported stuttering in adulthood through the latent con","PeriodicalId":49182,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders","volume":"60 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145543641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sarah J. Wallace, Zheng Yen Ng, Bridget Burton, Megan Isaacs, Ryan Deslandes, Gopal Sinh, Kim Barron, Phill Jamieson, Kirstine A. Shrubsole, David A. Copland, Janet Wiles, Victoria J. Palmer, Pippa Evans, Kyla Hudson, Anthony J. Angwin, Annie J. Hill, Barbra H. B. Timmer, Matthew J. Gullo, Jessica H. Campbell, Peter Worthy
<div> <section> <h3> Background</h3> <p>Speech and language therapy for post-stroke aphasia (language/communication impairment) improves language and communication in the short-term; however, access to therapy is limited, and effects are not always maintained. Mobile Health (mHealth) applications may support long-term therapy access and maintenance of gains. We present a protocol for the co-design and evaluation of a novel mHealth application for self-managed aphasia therapy.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Methods</h3> <p>An mHealth application will be developed using Experience-Based Co-Design and Human-Centred Design with people with aphasia (PWA), significant others (SO) and health professionals (HPs). Focus groups will explore self-management experiences and establish co-design priorities using the nominal group technique (<i>n</i> = 10–15 each group). The prototype will be co-designed in eight workshops (<i>n</i> = 4 each group) and evaluated via adapted user-experience (UX) testing. UX testing will use pluralistic walk-throughs, think-aloud evaluations and measures of satisfaction (SUS) and acceptance/intended use (UTAUT-2) (PWA <i>n</i> = 10, SO <i>n</i> = 5, HP <i>n</i> = 10). Feasibility and preliminary efficacy (primary outcomes of treatment adherence and goal attainment) will be assessed through a 4-week field test, followed by focus groups (PWA and SO, <i>n</i> = 20 each). A process evaluation will assess factors influencing (1) the process and outcomes of research involvement, and (2) the functioning and acceptability of the prototype application.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Discussion</h3> <p>Outcomes will include a prototype co-designed mHealth application for self-management of post-stroke aphasia and evidence of acceptability, usability and preliminary efficacy. The process evaluation will increase understanding of the adjustments required to support meaningful participation of PWA in co-design, and future directions for application development and scale-up.</p> </section> <section> <h3> WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS</h3> <div><i>What is already known on this subject</i> <ul> <li>mHealth apps can assist self-management through personalised goals, interactive support and in-the-moment feedback.</li> </ul> </div> <div><i>What this paper adds to existing knowledge</i> <ul> <li>This paper describes the protocol for the co-design and evaluation of a novel mHealth application for self-managed post-stroke aphasia treatment (AphasiaFit).</li>
背景：脑卒中后失语症（语言/沟通障碍）的言语和语言治疗在短期内改善了语言和沟通；然而，获得治疗的机会是有限的，而且效果并不总是保持不变。移动医疗（mHealth）应用程序可支持获得长期治疗并维持治疗成果。我们提出了一项协议，共同设计和评估一种新的移动健康应用程序，用于自我管理失语症治疗。方法：将与失语症患者（PWA）、重要他人（SO）和卫生专业人员（hp）一起使用基于体验的协同设计和以人为本的设计开发移动健康应用程序。焦点小组将探索自我管理经验，并使用名义小组技术建立共同设计优先级（每组n = 10-15）。原型将在8个工作坊中共同设计（每组n = 4），并通过适应性用户体验（UX）测试进行评估。用户体验测试将使用多元的走行、思考式评估和满意度测量（SUS）以及接受度/预期使用（UTAUT-2） （PWA n = 10, SO n = 5, HP n = 10）。可行性和初步疗效（治疗依从性和目标实现的主要结局）将通过为期4周的现场测试进行评估，随后是焦点小组（PWA和SO，每个n = 20）。过程评估将评估影响(1)研究参与的过程和结果，以及(2)原型应用程序的功能和可接受性的因素。讨论：结果将包括共同设计的用于中风后失语症自我管理的移动健康应用原型，以及可接受性、可用性和初步疗效的证据。过程评估将增加对所需调整的理解，以支持PWA在协同设计中的有意义参与，以及应用程序开发和扩展的未来方向。这篇论文补充的内容：在这个问题上已经知道的是，移动健康应用程序可以通过个性化目标、互动支持和即时反馈来帮助自我管理。本文描述了一种用于中风后失语自我管理（AphasiaFit）的新型移动健康应用程序的共同设计和评估方案。这项工作的潜在或实际临床意义是什么？我们的研究结果将是一个共同设计的移动健康应用程序，用于中风后失语症的自我管理治疗。该应用的临床实施可能会增加中风恢复慢性期失语治疗的可及性和依从性。
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<div> <section> <h3> Background</h3> <p>In everyday communication, word retrieval is semantically driven. A similar processing mechanism can be assumed for category fluency tasks. In contrast, in phonemic fluency tasks or rhyme production, the retrieval process must be based on the word form. In phonemic fluency, executive and language functions have been discussed as influencing this specific retrieval mechanism. In addition, studies of adults with developmental dyslexia and non-literate individuals have shown that deficits in written language processing are associated with poorer performance in phonemic fluency; a relationship that is not evident for category fluency. In people with aphasia (PWA), there is a lack of research on the possible relationship between written language skills and word form based word retrieval performance, although PWA often have acquired dyslexia/dysgraphia. There is also a paucity of data on possible effects on rhyme production.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Aims</h3> <p>The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of written language skills, word retrieval performance, aphasia severity and executive function on phonemic fluency, rhyme production and category fluency. It is hypothesised that phonemic fluency and rhyme production are associated with written language skills, while this is not assumed for category fluency. Word retrieval performance, aphasia severity and executive functions could have an impact on all three tasks.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Methods and Procedures</h3> <p>The study was conducted with 19 PWA (13f, 6m), showing predominantly post-semantic word retrieval disorders. The assessment included the following tasks: phonemic fluency<span>,</span> rhyme production, category fluency, reading and writing of nonwords (sub-lexical written language), reading and writing of unregular words (lexical written language), oral naming in the Boston Naming Test (word retrieval), Token Test (aphasia severity) and two visual-spatial tasks, spatial 2-back (executive function: updating) and antisaccade (executive function: inhibition). Descriptive analyses included correct responses and errors. In a second step, data were analysed by using hierarchical regression analyses.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Outcomes and Results</h3> <p>For both phonemic fluency and rhyme production, reading/writing of nonwords showed the strongest explanatory power. In contrast, for category fluency, the strongest predictor was oral naming performance in the Boston Naming Test.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Conclusion and Implications</h3>
{"title":"Phonemic Fluency and Rhyme Production in People with Aphasic Word Retrieval Disorders: Sub-Lexical Written Language Skills Matter","authors":"Anja Wunderlich","doi":"10.1111/1460-6984.70157","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1460-6984.70157","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In everyday communication, word retrieval is semantically driven. A similar processing mechanism can be assumed for category fluency tasks. In contrast, in phonemic fluency tasks or rhyme production, the retrieval process must be based on the word form. In phonemic fluency, executive and language functions have been discussed as influencing this specific retrieval mechanism. In addition, studies of adults with developmental dyslexia and non-literate individuals have shown that deficits in written language processing are associated with poorer performance in phonemic fluency; a relationship that is not evident for category fluency. In people with aphasia (PWA), there is a lack of research on the possible relationship between written language skills and word form based word retrieval performance, although PWA often have acquired dyslexia/dysgraphia. There is also a paucity of data on possible effects on rhyme production.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of written language skills, word retrieval performance, aphasia severity and executive function on phonemic fluency, rhyme production and category fluency. It is hypothesised that phonemic fluency and rhyme production are associated with written language skills, while this is not assumed for category fluency. Word retrieval performance, aphasia severity and executive functions could have an impact on all three tasks.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods and Procedures</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The study was conducted with 19 PWA (13f, 6m), showing predominantly post-semantic word retrieval disorders. The assessment included the following tasks: phonemic fluency<span>,</span> rhyme production, category fluency, reading and writing of nonwords (sub-lexical written language), reading and writing of unregular words (lexical written language), oral naming in the Boston Naming Test (word retrieval), Token Test (aphasia severity) and two visual-spatial tasks, spatial 2-back (executive function: updating) and antisaccade (executive function: inhibition). Descriptive analyses included correct responses and errors. In a second step, data were analysed by using hierarchical regression analyses.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Outcomes and Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>For both phonemic fluency and rhyme production, reading/writing of nonwords showed the strongest explanatory power. In contrast, for category fluency, the strongest predictor was oral naming performance in the Boston Naming Test.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion and Implications</h3>\u0000 ","PeriodicalId":49182,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders","volume":"60 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145497114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
<div> <section> <h3> Purpose</h3> <p>Previous studies conducted in Türkiye (Turkey) have revealed that the level of knowledge and awareness regarding swallowing disorders in neurogenic conditions among speech and language pathology students or graduates is relatively low. Furthermore, differences in curricula across various institutions highlight the need for standardized education in this area. This study aimed to assess changes in the knowledge and awareness levels of speech and language pathologists, as well as their opinions about the training, by organizing an educational programme focused on neurogenic communication and swallowing disorders.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Method</h3> <p>A total of 5 days (40 h) of training was carried out over three weekends, with the participation of 40 expert academicians from 20 different institutions. The training was attended by 247 participants on the first day. Before and after the training, a 40-question questionnaire was administered to measure the knowledge and awareness. One hundred and twenty-nine participants filled out both tests. After the training was completed, a 12-question evaluation questionnaire was applied to the participants.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Results</h3> <p>The number of correct answers given by the participants who completed both the pre-test and post-test increased statistically significantly, from 19.09 ± 3.81 to 21.43 ± 3.67 (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The participants stated that their knowledge and awareness levels about the topics increased after the training, with a mean self-reported score of 8.99± 1.18 out of 10.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Conclusions</h3> <p>This training event was the first of its kind in the field of speech and language pathology in Türkiye. While a statistically significant increase in knowledge and awareness was observed following the training, participants' overall knowledge levels remained relatively low. These findings underscore the need for additional and ongoing training to address existing gaps and further enhance professional competencies in this area.</p> </section> <section> <h3> WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS</h3> <div><i>What is already known on this subject</i> <ul> <li>Neurological diseases affect individuals of all age groups and may lead to communication, feeding and swallowing disorders. These problems negatively affect the quality of life of affected individuals and their caregivers. There is a deficiency in the knowledge, awareness and self-confidence levels of speech and
{"title":"Training of Speech and Language Pathologists in Neurogenic Disorders: Enhancing Expertise and Awareness in Communication and Swallowing Disorders","authors":"Mümüne Merve Parlak, Seren Düzenli-Öztürk, Cansu Yıldırım, Merve Sapmaz Atalar, Halil Tayyip Uysal, Ayşen Köse, Didem Çevik","doi":"10.1111/1460-6984.70161","DOIUrl":"10.1111/1460-6984.70161","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Purpose</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Previous studies conducted in Türkiye (Turkey) have revealed that the level of knowledge and awareness regarding swallowing disorders in neurogenic conditions among speech and language pathology students or graduates is relatively low. Furthermore, differences in curricula across various institutions highlight the need for standardized education in this area. This study aimed to assess changes in the knowledge and awareness levels of speech and language pathologists, as well as their opinions about the training, by organizing an educational programme focused on neurogenic communication and swallowing disorders.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A total of 5 days (40 h) of training was carried out over three weekends, with the participation of 40 expert academicians from 20 different institutions. The training was attended by 247 participants on the first day. Before and after the training, a 40-question questionnaire was administered to measure the knowledge and awareness. One hundred and twenty-nine participants filled out both tests. After the training was completed, a 12-question evaluation questionnaire was applied to the participants.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The number of correct answers given by the participants who completed both the pre-test and post-test increased statistically significantly, from 19.09 ± 3.81 to 21.43 ± 3.67 (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The participants stated that their knowledge and awareness levels about the topics increased after the training, with a mean self-reported score of 8.99± 1.18 out of 10.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This training event was the first of its kind in the field of speech and language pathology in Türkiye. While a statistically significant increase in knowledge and awareness was observed following the training, participants' overall knowledge levels remained relatively low. These findings underscore the need for additional and ongoing training to address existing gaps and further enhance professional competencies in this area.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <div><i>What is already known on this subject</i>\u0000 \u0000 <ul>\u0000 \u0000 <li>Neurological diseases affect individuals of all age groups and may lead to communication, feeding and swallowing disorders. These problems negatively affect the quality of life of affected individuals and their caregivers. There is a deficiency in the knowledge, awareness and self-confidence levels of speech and","PeriodicalId":49182,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders","volume":"60 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145490730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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