Learn about the latest research projects our students are undertaking as part of their PhD studies. Students were invited to do a 10 minute presentation on their research in the Student Showcase competition, we are pleased to share some of these presentations. To see more presentations, check the Student research category on the blog sidebar.
Aphasia CRE Student Showcase 2021 presentation by University of Sydney 4th Year Undergraduate student, Zali Hall, on “A systematic review of co-constructed communication treatments for the acquired brain injury population”
Background: Everyday communication is often disrupted by acquired brain injury (ABI) and is an important intervention target within this population. Typically, intervention targets incremental skills, via word and sentence level tasks, or connected speech/monologue tasks. However, these can have limited evidence of generalization to everyday communication, and difficulty representing conversations’ complexities. Interventions exist in which it is possible to target everyday communication in replicable, experimental tasks; however they are variably labelled, target different ABI populations, and have not yet been synthesised. This review terms these ‘co-constructed communication interventions’.
Aims: This systematic review aimed to identify the nature, scope and effects of intervention studies targeting co-constructed communication in adults with ABI.
Methods: This systematic review followed the PRISMA Guidelines. Six databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, LLBA, PsychInfo) were searched. Of the total 2037 studies screened, 11 met inclusion criteria. Data extraction and methodological quality rating was completed.
Results: The 11 eligible studies cluster into three sub-categories: ‘language-action games’, ‘retell and recount therapies’, and ‘communication training programs’. Quality assessment revealed 3 non-RCTs scored moderately well, 4 single-case designs scored from high-low, and 2 case series and case reports scored moderately well. Most studies were reported moderately well, according to the TIDieR checklist. Further data will be presented on treatment outcomes.
Discussion: Co-constructed communication interventions can enable aspects of everyday communication to be the focus of therapy in clinically replicable tasks. These interventions may improve conversational outcomes for adults with ABI, however more high-quality research is needed to strengthen this limited evidence base.