The Efficacy of Collaborative Referencing Intervention in Chronic Aphasia: A Mixed-Methods Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Suma R. Devanga ◽  
Martha Sherrill ◽  
Julie A. Hengst
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Treatment Effectiveness ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Social Validity ◽  
Current Phase ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive Treatment ◽  
Chronic Aphasia ◽  
Multiple Probe

Purpose The feasibility of a collaborative referencing intervention (CRI) for adults with chronic aphasia has been documented in two descriptive case studies (Devanga, 2014; Hengst et al., 2010, 2008). The current Phase II mixed-methods treatment study replicates the CRI with four additional participants (using interpretive research) and investigates how it impacts a traditional measure, participants' confrontational naming abilities, outside of game play (using multiple-probe single-case experimental design). Method Four adults with chronic aphasia participated in the study composed of (a) three preparatory sessions, (b) five baseline sessions, (c) 15 CRI sessions with five treatment probes, and (d) six maintenance sessions. A collaborative confrontation naming (CCN) probe (i.e., dependent variable) was administered in each baseline, treatment probe, and maintenance session. Each CRI session (i.e., independent variable) consisted of a photo-matching game with participant and clinician partner taking alternative turns identifying and matching personally relevant treatment cards. CCN probes were scored using a multidimensional rating scale. Fidelity and social validity were also assessed. Results Replication of the CRI showed successful and consistent referential learning in all four participant pairs. The multiple-probe analysis of CCN revealed a positive treatment effect on naming in three participants indicating that the CRI was efficacious. High fidelity was maintained throughout the study. Social validity interviews revealed positive outcomes and significant impacts of treatment on the participants' lives. Conclusion The CRI demonstrates strong clinical implications for adults with chronic aphasia. Future research exploring the treatment effectiveness and the implementation to a variety of clinical settings is warranted.

scholarly journals Initiation and Generalization of Self-Instructed Video Activity Schedules for Elementary Students With Intellectual Disability

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally B. Shepley ◽  
Amy D. Spriggs ◽  
Mark D. Samudre ◽  
Emily C. Sartini
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Elementary Students ◽  
Single Case ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Activity Schedules ◽  
Activity Schedule ◽  
Independent Variable ◽  
Self Instruction ◽  
Multiple Probe

This study evaluated the effects of progressive time delay (PTD) to teach four elementary students with intellectual disability on how to self-instruct using a video activity schedule. A single-case multiple probe across participants design with a multiple probe across environments design for each participant was used to assess the generalization of the self-instruction behavior to novel environments. All participants acquired the self-instruction behavior in their target environments. One participant generalized this behavior to a novel environment by the completion of the study, and the other three participants required introduction of the independent variable (PTD) to master acquisition in the two generalization environments. Implications for practitioners and suggestions for effective programming of generalization in future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Effects of a Story Grammar Intervention With Repeated Retells for English Learners With Language Impairments

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhonda D. Miller ◽  
Vivian I. Correa ◽  
Antonis Katsiyannis
Keyword(s):  
English Learners ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Language Impairments ◽  
Oral Narrative ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Syntactic Complexity ◽  
Story Grammar ◽  
Complexity Measures ◽  
Narrative Skills ◽  
Multiple Probe

This study investigated the effects of a narrative intervention that employed repeated story retells and a Story Grammar Marker on the oral narrative skills of Spanish-speaking English learners with language impairments. Four third- and fourth-grade students participated in the study. Using a single-case multiple probe across participants design, the authors measured three dependent variables: narrative organization skills, narrative productivity, and syntactic complexity. As a result of the intervention, stories became more cohesive and scores for narrative organization increased by approximately 7 points from baseline to intervention across participants. Smaller effects for narrative complexity and syntactic complexity measures were noted. Implications for future research and for practice are provided.

Results of a Traditional Acupuncture Intervention for Stuttering

1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 572-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley R. Craig ◽  
Maree Kearns
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Effectiveness ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Speech Rate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Acupuncture Points ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Baseline Design ◽  
Acupuncture Intervention ◽  
Pilot Investigation ◽  
Baseline Levels

It is important that researchers investigate alternative strategies for treating stuttering, as contemporary treatments are not entirely successful in reducing stuttering with all people. Furthermore, many who have been “successfully” treated suffer from high relapse rates in the long term. Acupuncture has been shown to be a promising treatment for several diverse disorders, so a pilot investigation into its effectiveness for stuttering was considered worthwhile. This study investigated traditional acupuncture-based treatments for two adult males who had stuttered since childhood. A single-case experimental ABAB multiple baseline design was employed to test for treatment effectiveness. Subjects were followed up for a further 12 weeks to evaluate maintenance (C phase) of possible improvements. No significant ABAB reversal effects were observed, and stuttering frequency through the treatment phases remained at baseline levels for the two subjects. Speech rate also remained at baseline levels throughout the treatment phases, as did naturalness of speech and anxiety levels. This research is important as claims that acupuncture may successfully reduce stuttering need to be tested, and the scope and usefulness of treatments like acupuncture for a wide variety of problems needs to be determined. However, the low subject numbers involved suggest caution in concluding acupuncture is not a successful intervention for stuttering. Perhaps alternative acupuncture points need to be evaluated and a wider variety of persons who stutter need to be involved in any future research.

Preliminary Findings on the Use of Session Questionnaires to Improve Clinician-Client Alliance With Special Consideration to Clinical Education

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-60
Author(s):  
Anu Subramanian
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Clinical Education ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Treatment Effectiveness ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Therapeutic Outcomes ◽  
Specific Feedback ◽  
Stakeholder Perspective

ASHA's focus on evidence-based practice (EBP) includes the family/stakeholder perspective as an important tenet in clinical decision making. The common factors model for treatment effectiveness postulates that clinician-client alliance positively impacts therapeutic outcomes and may be the most important factor for success. One strategy to improve alliance between a client and clinician is the use of outcome questionnaires. In the current study, eight parents of toddlers who attended therapy sessions at a university clinic responded to a session outcome questionnaire that included both rating scale and descriptive questions. Six graduate students completed a survey that included a question about the utility of the questionnaire. Results indicated that the descriptive questions added value and information compared to using only the rating scale. The students were varied in their responses regarding the effectiveness of the questionnaire to increase their comfort with parents. Information gathered from the questionnaire allowed for specific feedback to graduate students to change behaviors and created opportunities for general discussions regarding effective therapy techniques. In addition, the responses generated conversations between the client and clinician focused on clients' concerns. Involving the stakeholder in identifying both effective and ineffective aspects of therapy has advantages for clinical practice and education.

The Effects of Technology Supports on Community Grocery Shopping Skills for Students With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 016264342198997
Author(s):  
Sojung Jung ◽  
Ciara Ousley ◽  
David McNaughton ◽  
Pamela Wolfe
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Analytic Review ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

In this meta-analytic review, we investigated the effects of technology supports on the acquisition of shopping skills for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) between the ages of 5 and 24. Nineteen single-case experimental research studies, presented in 15 research articles, met the current study’s inclusion criteria and the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) standards. An analysis of potential moderators was conducted, and we calculated effect sizes using Tau-U to examine the impact of age, diagnosis, and type of technology on the reported outcomes for the 56 participants. The results from the included studies provide evidence that a wide range of technology interventions had a positive impact on shopping performance. These positive effects were seen for individuals across a wide range of ages and disability types, and for a wide variety of shopping skills. The strongest effect sizes were observed for technologies that provided visual supports rather than just auditory support. We provide an interpretation of the findings, implications of the results, and recommended areas for future research.

The psychological impact of active surveillance in men with prostate cancer: implications for nursing care

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. S30-S37
Author(s):  
Sophie Biddle
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Active Surveillance ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Illness Uncertainty ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Positive Treatment

Introduction: Active surveillance is a conservative management approach to treating prostate cancer involving regular testing and close monitoring by the health professional. The aim of this literature review is to establish whether men experience a psychological impact of active surveillance and what the prevalent effects might be. Method: The search was carried out in three databases: CINAHL, Medline and PsycINFO. Articles published in English, from October 2015 to March 2018, which focused on the psychological impact of active surveillance, were included. Findings: A total of eight quantitative studies were included in this report. The review identified key psychological impacts of active surveillance, including anxiety, sub-clinical depression, illness uncertainty and hopelessness. Active surveillance was seen by some patients as a positive treatment approach that limited the side effects associated with active treatment. Conclusion: The evidence found a negative impact of active surveillance might be felt by men at any stage during treatment and at differing levels of severity. The article highlights key demographic areas, including ethnicity and age, for future research and recommends more qualitative studies are conducted.

Comparison of Frenotomy Techniques for the Treatment of Ankyloglossia in Children: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (3) ◽  
pp. 428-443
Author(s):  
Usman Khan ◽  
Jake MacPherson ◽  
Michael Bezuhly ◽  
Paul Hong
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Numeric Rating Scale ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Comprehensive Search ◽  
High Level ◽  
Numeric Rating

Objective To compare the effectiveness of conventional (CF), laser (LF), and Z-plasty (ZF) frenotomies for the treatment of ankyloglossia in the pediatric population. Data Sources A comprehensive search of PUBMED, EMBASE, and COCHRANE databases was performed. Review Methods Relevant articles were independently assessed by 2 reviewers according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Results Thirty-five articles assessing CF (27 articles), LF (4 articles), ZF (3 articles), and/or rhomboid plasty frenotomy (1 article) were included. A high level of outcome heterogeneity prevented pooling of data. All 7 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were of low quality. Both CF (5 articles with 589 patients) and LF (2 articles with 78 patients) were independently shown to reduce maternal nipple pain on a visual analog or numeric rating scale. There were reports of improvement with breastfeeding outcomes as assessed on validated assessment tools for 88% (7/8) of CF articles (588 patients) and 2 LF articles (78 patients). ZF improved breastfeeding outcomes on subjective maternal reports (1 article with 18 infants) only. One RCT with a high risk of bias concluded greater speech articulation improvements with ZF compared to CF. Only minor adverse events were reported for all frenotomy techniques. Conclusions Current literature does not demonstrate a clear advantage for one frenotomy technique when managing children with ankyloglossia. Recommendations for future research are provided to overcome the methodological shortcomings in the literature. We conclude that all frenotomy techniques are safe and effective for treating symptomatic ankyloglossia.

A Systematic Review of Practiced-Based Research of Complementary and Integrative Health Therapies as Provided for Pain Management in Clinical Settings: Recommendations for the Future and A Call to Action

Pain Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie L Dyer ◽  
Jessica Surdam ◽  
Jeffery A Dusek
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Call To Action ◽  
Integrative Health ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Percent Improvement ◽  
Pain Outcomes

Abstract Objective The goal of this systematic review was to evaluate practice-based, real-world research of individualized complementary and integrative health (CIH) therapies for pain as provided in CIH outpatient clinics. Methods A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase through Dec 2020. The study was listed in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020159193). Major categories of variables extracted included study details and demographics; interventions; and outcomes. Results The literature search yielded 3,316 records with 264 assessed for full text review. Of those, 23 studies (including ∼8,464 patients) were specific to pain conditions as a main outcome. Studies included chiropractic, acupuncture, multimodal individualized intervention/programs, physiotherapy, and anthroposophic medicine therapy. Retention rates ranged from 53% to 91%, with studies offering monetary incentives showing the highest retention. The 0–10 numerical rating scale was the most common pain questionnaire (n = 10, 43% of studies), with an average percent improvement across all studies and timepoints of 32% (range 18–60%). Conclusions Findings from this systematic review of practice-based, real-word research indicate that CIH therapies exert positive effects on various pain outcomes. Although all studies reported beneficial impacts on one or more pain outcomes, the heterogeneous nature of studies limits our overall understanding of CIH as provided in clinical settings. Accordingly, we present numerous recommendations to improve publication reporting and guide future research. Our call to action is future, practice-based CIH research is needed, but should be more expansive and in association with a CIH scientific society with academic and healthcare members.

Self-Care for Nurse Leaders in Acute Care Environment Reduces Perceived Stress: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study Merits Further Investigation

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Mac Leod Dyess ◽  
Angela S. Prestia ◽  
Doren-Elyse Marquit ◽  
David Newman
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Nurse Leaders ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Meditation Practice ◽  
Significant Drop

Acute care practice settings are stressful. Nurse leaders face stressful demands of numerous competing priorities. Some nurse leaders experience unmanageable stress, but success requires self-care. This article presents a repeated measures intervention design study using mixed methods to investigate a self-care simple meditation practice for nurse leaders. Themes and subthemes emerged in association with the three data collection points: at baseline (pretest), after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks (posttest) from introduction of the self-care simple meditation practice. An analysis of variance yielded a statistically significant drop in perceived stress at 6 weeks and again at 12 weeks. Conducting future research is merited.

scholarly journals Effects of an Interview Article Writing Intervention Using Class-wide SNS on Writing Abilities and Self-Esteem of Students With Intellectual Disabilities and Peers’ Attitudes

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-40
Author(s):  
Zihyun Lim ◽  
Suk-Hyang Lee
Keyword(s):  
Middle School Students ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Writing Intervention ◽  
School Students ◽  
Baseline Design ◽  
Students With Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Multiple Probe

This study was to investigate the effects of a process-based approach to writing interview articles using class-wide social network site (SNS) on the writing abilities and self-esteem of middle school students with intellectual disabilities. It also aimed at investigating these effects on attitudes of the students’ peers who were interviewed. A multiple probe baseline design across participants was employed to assess the writing abilities of three students with intellectual disabilities. A one-group pre- and posttest design was used to examine the changes in the attitudes of peers toward the students with intellectual disabilities. The intervention improved the writing abilities of the three participants along with increases of their self-esteem. The participants’ peers in the inclusive classrooms also showed positive changes in their attitudes toward the students with intellectual disabilities. This study has significance in that teaching interview article writing using class-wide SNS was effective not only in promoting the writing skills of students with intellectual disabilities but in improving their peers’ attitudes toward them. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

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