Investigation of the knowledge, experiences, and opinions of Speech and Language Pathologists on assessments and therapies for cognitive communication disorders in people with Alzheimer's disease - A cross-sectional survey in Turkey

Year 2023, , 45 - 57, 30.04.2023

Mümüne Merve Parlak , Ayşen Köse

https://doi.org/10.21020/husbfd.1161515

Abstract

Objective: To examine the knowledge, experiences, and opinions of Speech and Language Pathologists’ (SLP) in Turkey concerning cognitive communication assessments and therapies applied in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Materials and Methods: This study conducted a cross-sectional survey consisting of 24 questions, 17 of which were answered by all participants and 7 answered only by people who have worked people with AD. Questionnaires were sent to the graduated SLPs via social media and mail groups.
Results: A total sample was obtained from 145 individuals (130 females, 15 males) with a mean age of 21.4 ± 6.288 years. Of the SLPs, 82.1% had never given therapy to an individual with AD. In addition, 89% of SLPs stated that they did not know that other occupational groups were working with AD. Of the SLPs, 92.4% stated that patients in the mild stage, 89% of patients in the intermediate stage, and 45.5% of patients in the advanced stage could benefit from therapy.
Conclusion: This is the first study in Turkey to examine the knowledge, experiences, and opinions of SLPs about assessments and therapies for cognitive communication disorders in people with AD. In this study, it was observed that SLPs lack general knowledge, assessment, therapy practice, and experience with cognitive communication disorders in the AD population. In particular, if a separate course for cognitive communication disorders is not offered in the undergraduate curriculum, this could be arranged in the educational content of cognitive communication disorders, such as dementia, and be explained in detail. Thus, SLPs’ knowledge levels would be increased.

Keywords

Alzheimer, dementia, Speech and Language Pathologist, cognitive communication

References

• ASHA. (2016). Scope of practice in speech-language pathology. https://www.asha.org/policy/sp2016-00343/.
• ASHA. (2019). 2019 SLP health care survey: Survey summary report: Number and type of responses. https://www.asha.org/siteassets/surveys/2019-slp-hc-survey-summary-report.pdf.
• Basri, M. A. F. A., Subramaniam, P., Ghazali, S. E., & Singh, D. K. A. (2017). A Review of Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Dementia Among College and University Students. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. https://doi.org/10.7860/jcdr/2017/29739.10865
• Carrion, C., Folkvord, F., Anastasiadou, D., & Aymerich, M. (2018). Cognitive Therapy for dementia patients: a systematic review. Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders, 46(1-2), 1-26. https://doi.org: 10.1159/000490851.
• Dooley12, S., & Walshe, M. (2018). Management of Cognitive Communication Difficulties in Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Speech & Language Therapists in Ireland. Unpublished paper. Dublin: Trinity College Dublin. http://www.tara.tcd.ie/bitstream/handle/2262/95642/slt_practice_survey.pdf?sequence=1
• Kaf, W. A., Barboa, L. S., Fisher, B. J., & Snavely, L. A. (2011). Effect of Interdisciplinary Service Learning Experience for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Students Working With Adults With Dementia. American Journal of Audiology, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.1044/1059-0889(2011/10-0025)
• Kimzey, M., Mastel-Smith, B., & Alfred, D. (2016). The impact of educational experiences on nursing students' knowledge and attitudes toward people with Alzheimer's disease: A mixed method study. Nurse Educ Today, 46, 57-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2016.08.031
• Lanzi, A. M., Ellison, J. M., & Cohen, M. L. (2021). The “Counseling+” Roles of the Speech-Language Pathologist Serving Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia From Alzheimer's Disease. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 6(5), 987-1002. https://doi.org: 10.1044/2021_persp-20-00295.
• Mahoney, R., Regan, C., Katona, C., & Livingston, G. (2005). Anxiety and depression in family caregivers of people with Alzheimer disease: the LASER-AD study. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13(9), 795-801. https://doi.org: 10.1176/appi.ajgp.13.9.795.
• Morrow, E. L., Turkstra, L. S., & Duff, M. C. (2021). Confidence and Training of Speech-Language Pathologists in Cognitive-Communication Disorders: Time to Rethink Graduate Education Models? American journal of speech-language pathology, 30(2S), 986-992. https://doi.org: 10.1044/2020_AJSLP-20-00073.
• Munis, Ö. B., Parlak, M. M., & Köse, A. (2021). Analysis of the consistency of information received from Alzheimer’s disease patients and their families in the quality of life and depression scales. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory, 12(4), 372-378.Https://doi.org: 10.18663/tjcl.854945
• Nobrega, J., Lousada, M., & Figueiredo, D. (2016). Exploring the Clinical Practice of Speech and Language Therapists with Adults with Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Portugal. Folia Phoniatr Logop, 68(5), 216-221. https://doi.org/10.1159/000464350
• Olazarán, J., Reisberg, B., Clare, L., Cruz, I., Peña-Casanova, J., Del Ser, T., . . . Lai, C. (2010). Nonpharmacological therapies in Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review of efficacy. Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders, 30(2), 161-178. https://doi.org: 10.1159/000316119.
• WHO. (2017). Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017–2025. ISBN978-92-4-151348-7, https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/259615/?sequence=1
• WHO. (2021). Rise, respond, recover: renewing progress on women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health in the era of COVID-19. ISBN 978-92-4-003383-2. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/349920/9789240033832-eng.pdf?sequence=1
• Parlak, M. M., Altan, E., & Saylam, G. (2022). Dysphagia in Individuals with Dementia. Journal of Ear Nose Throat and Head Neck Surgery(30(2)), 88-96. https://doi.org/10.24179/kbbbbc.2021-86783
• Parlak, M. M., Babademez, M. A., Tokgöz, S. A., Bizpınar, Ö., & Saylam, G. (2022). Evaluation of Swallowing Function according to the Stage of Alzheimer’s Disease. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, 74(3), 186-194. https://doi.org: 10.1159/000519263.
• Parlak, M. M., Tokgöz, S. A., Bizpinar, Ö., Saylam, G., & Köse, A. (2022). Investigation of cognition, nutrition, independence and swallowing difficulty, relationship with quality of life, and effect levels in elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease living with their families. Neurology Asia, 27(3), 701-708. https://doi.org/10.54029/2022eeu
• Pellicciari, M. C., & Miniussi, C. (2018). Transcranial direct current stimulation in neurodegenerative disorders. The Journal of ECT, 34(3), 193-202. https://doi.org: 10.1097/YCT.0000000000000539.
• Resmigazete. (2011). Bazı Kanun ve Kanun Hükmünde Kararnamelerde değişiklik yapılmasına Dair Kanun. (6225 ). Retrieved from https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2011/04/20110426-1.htm
• Roberts, M. Y., Sone, B. J., Zanzinger, K. E., Bloem, M. E., Kulba, K., Schaff, A., . . . Goldstein, H. (2020). Trends in clinical practice research in ASHA journals: 2008–2018. American journal of speech-language pathology, 29(3), 1629-1639. https://doi.org: 10.1044/2020_AJSLP-19-00011.
• Sánchez, A., Maseda, A., Marante-Moar, M. P., De Labra, C., Lorenzo-López, L., & Millán-Calenti, J. C. (2016). Comparing the effects of multisensory stimulation and individualized music sessions on elderly people with severe dementia: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 52(1), 303-315. https://doi.org: 10.3233/JAD-151150.
• Swan, K., Hopper, M., Wenke, R., Jackson, C., Till, T., & Conway, E. (2018). Speech-language pathologist interventions for communication in moderate–severe dementia: A systematic review. American journal of speech-language pathology, 27(2), 836-852. https://doi.org: 10.1044/2017_AJSLP-17-0043.
• Szatloczki, G., Hoffmann, I., Vincze, V., Kalman, J., & Pakaski, M. (2015). Speaking in Alzheimer’s disease, is that an early sign? Importance of changes in language abilities in Alzheimer’s disease. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 7, 195. https://doi.org: 10.3389/fnagi.2015.00195.
• Taylor, C., Kingma, R. M., Croot, K., & Nickels, L. (2009). Speech pathology services for primary progressive aphasia: Exploring an emerging area of practice. Aphasiology, 23(2), 161-174. https://doi.org: 10.1080/02687030801943039
• Vitale, C. A., Berkman, C. S., Monteleoni, C., & Ahronheim, J. C. (2011). Tube feeding in patients with advanced dementia: knowledge and practice of speech-language pathologists. J Pain Symptom Manage, 42(3), 366-378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2010.11.017
• Vitaliano, P. P., Young, H. M., & Russo, J. (1991). Burden: A review of measures used among caregivers of individuals with dementia. The gerontologist, 31(1), 67-75. https://doi.org: 10.1093/geront/31.1.67.
• Woods, B., Aguirre, E., Spector, A. E., & Orrell, M. (2012). Cognitive stimulation to improve cognitive functioning in people with dementia. Cochrane database of systematic reviews(2). https://doi.org: 10.1002/14651858.CD005562.pub2.
• Woods, B., O'Philbin, L., Farrell, E. M., Spector, A. E., & Orrell, M. (2018). Reminiscence therapy for dementia. Cochrane database of systematic reviews(3). https://doi.org: 10.1002/14651858.CD001120.pub3.