| Title: |
'Doing the Best I Can': Qualitative Outcomes and Participant Feedback from a Combined Communication and Counselling Treatment for Primary Progressive Aphasia |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Kristin Schaffer Mendez (ORCID 0000-0002-7342-9225); William S. Evans (ORCID 0000-0001-5124-3473); Christina D. Dutcher (ORCID 0000-0002-3158-8674); Christina Philburn; Lisa D. Wauters (ORCID 0000-0001-8191-9366); Megan M. Young (ORCID 0000-0001-8896-7897); Maya L. Henry (ORCID 0000-0002-8745-6451) |
| Source: |
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. 2026 61(2). |
| Availability: |
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
14 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: |
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: |
1F31DC019044; R01DC016291 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Cognitive Restructuring; Behavior Modification; Speech Therapy; Aphasia; Counseling; Allied Health Personnel; Speech Language Pathology |
| DOI: |
10.1111/1460-6984.70200 |
| ISSN: |
1368-2822; 1460-6984 |
| Abstract: |
Introduction: There is a growing evidence base supporting the utility of restitutive speech-language treatments for individuals with primary progressive aphasia (PPA). In contrast, there is limited research investigating treatment approaches that offer counselling to this population. Given that people with PPA are susceptible to negative impacts on their psychosocial well-being, research is needed to address this underrepresented area of inquiry. This paper provides qualitative research findings from a pilot and feasibility study in which individuals with PPA completed a novel, telehealth-based treatment program comprising both tailored speech-language treatment and counselling (via aphasia-modified cognitive behavioural therapy). Methods: Nine participants with PPA (three with nonfluent/agrammatic variant; three with logopenic variant; three with semantic variant) completed the novel treatment program. A phenomenological analysis was used at pre- and post-treatment timepoints to analyse qualitative treatment outcomes and participant-derived feedback regarding the intervention. Results: Following treatment, group-level themes identified across both timepoints included "Communication Difficulties, Loss, Communication Strategy Usage," and "Value of Support Systems." Themes identified only at pre-treatment included "Negative Emotions" and "Social Disconnection," while those observed only at post-treatment were "Acceptance, Gratitude," and "Counselling and Coping Strategy Usage." Participant-generated feedback regarding the intervention resulted in themes of "Positive Life Impact of Treatment, Satisfaction with Treatment Framework," and "Satisfaction with Telerehabilitation." Conclusion: Qualitative results from this pilot study indicate positive/adaptive themes surrounding psychosocial functioning following treatment for participants with each PPA subtype. Furthermore, participant-generated feedback reflects overall satisfaction with this holistic communication and counselling-focused treatment approach, indicating treatment acceptability. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1500755 |
| Database: |
ERIC |