scholarly journals Thinking Outside the Stroke: Treating Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA)

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Becky Khayum ◽  
Christina Wieneke ◽  
Emily Rogalski ◽  
Jaimie Robinson ◽  
Mary O’Hara
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Supportive Services ◽  
Language Abilities ◽  
Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Primary Progressive

In this article, we explore the symptoms, cause, treatment potential, and supportive services for individuals diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). Although it is possible to regain certain cognitive abilities with stroke or brain injury, in PPA, language abilities worsen and other symptoms emerge with time, shortening the lifespan. The goal of speech therapy for PPA is not to regain lost language, but rather to maximize communication for as long as possible. In this article, we offer information and tools for speech-language pathologists to help people living with PPA achieve these goals and improve overall quality of life.

The Impact of Aphasia Camp Participation on Quality of Life: A Primary Progressive Aphasia Perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (03) ◽  
pp. 270-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Figeys ◽  
H. Hubbard ◽  
Carlee Wilson ◽  
Esther Kim
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Outcome Measurement ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Primary Progressive ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIndividuals with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and their caregivers are at risk for decreased quality of life (QoL) due to their progressive condition. Aphasia camps are an intervention that can improve QoL, yet individuals with PPA are underrepresented at aphasia camps relative to those with poststroke aphasia. The purpose of this exploratory case study was to examine the effect of participation in aphasia camp on the QoL of a couple impacted by PPA. The Living with Aphasia: Framework for Outcome Measurement (A-FROM) was used to guide a semistructured interview with an individual with PPA and her spouse, both of whom had attended the Alberta Aphasia Camp for 4 years. Conventional content analysis with an inductive approach was used to analyze results. Concepts that emerged from the interview were organized into pre-camp, during, and post-camp categories. Aspects of camp that had an effect on post-camp QoL for this couple with PPA included expanding social connections and introduction to new activities. Personal characteristics exhibited by the couple had an impact on their experience of aphasia camp and how they incorporated their experiences into their everyday lives post-camp. Aphasia camps are a participation-based service approach that can benefit people with aphasia regardless of etiology. A consideration of personal factors of potential campers with PPA, and the provision of PPA-specific resources, is recommended for programs such as aphasia camps that incorporate participants with mixed etiologies.

Characterisation of “Positive” Behaviours in Primary Progressive Aphasias

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 119-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Midorikawa ◽  
Fiona Kumfor ◽  
Cristian E. Leyton ◽  
David Foxe ◽  
Ramon Landin-Romero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Primary Progressive ◽  
Semantic Variant ◽  
Behaviour Changes ◽  
Dementia Onset

Background/Aims: Although some patients with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) exhibit novel or improved skills after the onset of dementia, these changes have yet to be quantified. Therefore, this study systematically explored and identified the emergence of positive behaviours after dementia onset. Methods: This study included 48 carers of patients with PPA: 12 nonfluent/agrammatic PPA (nfvPPA), 22 semantic variant PPA (svPPA), and 14 logopenic variant PPA (lvPPA). The presence and frequency of positive behaviour changes after dementia onset were established using the Hypersensory and Social/Emotional Scale (HSS). Results: Scores on Sensitivity to Details, Visuospatial Activities, and Music Activities differed significantly among the groups. More specifically, svPPA was associated with increased visuospatial activity, but only in the mild stage of the disease; nfvPPA was associated with increased visuospatial activity and decreased music activity, while lvPPA exhibited the reverse profile. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that subsets of PPA patients show novel or increased positive behaviours following dementia onset, and differences among subtypes may be helpful for improving diagnostic accuracy. Additionally, harnessing these skills may improve the quality of life of both patients and carers.

scholarly journals A Life Participation Approach to Primary Progressive Aphasia Intervention

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (03) ◽  
pp. 284-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Becky Khayum ◽  
Emily Rogalski
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Strategy Training ◽  
Care Model ◽  
Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Primary Progressive ◽  
Dementia Syndrome

AbstractPrimary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a clinical neurodegenerative dementia syndrome characterized by deficits in spoken and written word retrieval, word usage, and/or word comprehension. Currently, there are no effective treatments to reverse or halt the underlying disease process; however, speech–language therapy may be helpful. The Communication Bridge Care Model was developed to address the unique communication and quality of life needs of individuals living with PPA. The core elements include person-centered care with dyadic instruction for disease education, and counseling, along with tailored levels of impairment- and compensatory-based communication strategy training. Our multicomponent approach incorporates guidance from the Life Participation Approach for Aphasia, including client-directed assessment and interventions that aim to maximize functional communication and participation in desired life activities. The direct and indirect use of technology is integrated into our tailored model of care to facilitate achievement of the client's functional goals. Here, we describe how to practically apply the Communication Bridge Care Model across treatment settings, including case examples from the Communication Bridge research study. This approach to care provides an opportunity to maximize communication effectiveness and quality of life for individuals living with PPA throughout the course of disease.

scholarly journals Contribution of the Cognitive Approach to Language Assessment to the Differential Diagnosis of Primary Progressive Aphasia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 815
Author(s):  
Joël Macoir ◽  
Annie Légaré ◽  
Monica Lavoie
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Behavioral Management ◽  
Language Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Approach ◽  
Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Primary Progressive ◽  
Assessment Approach ◽  
Cognitive Neuropsychological

Diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is essentially based on the identification of progressive impairment of language abilities while other cognitive functions are preserved. The three variants of PPA are characterized by core and supportive clinical features related to the presence or absence of language impairment in different linguistic domains. In this article, we review the cognitive neuropsychological approach to the assessment of PPA and its contribution to the differential diagnosis of the three variants. The main advantage of this assessment approach is that it goes beyond the mere description and classification of clinical syndromes and identifies impaired and preserved cognitive and linguistic components and processes. The article is structured according to the main language domains: spoken production, language comprehension, and written language. Each section includes a brief description of the cognitive processes involved in the assessment tasks, followed by a discussion of typical characteristics for each PPA variant and common pitfalls in the interpretation of the results. In addition, the clinical benefit of the cognitive neuropsychological approach for the behavioral management of PPA is briefly sketched out in the conclusion.

scholarly journals Speech Therapy in Primary Progressive Aphasia: A Pilot Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 321-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luísa Farrajota ◽  
Carolina Maruta ◽  
João Maroco ◽  
Isabel Pavão Martins ◽  
Manuela Guerreiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Primary Progressive

Errorless Learning Therapy in Semantic Variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 415-422
Author(s):  
Núria Montagut ◽  
Sergi Borrego-Écija ◽  
Magdalena Castellví ◽  
Immaculada Rico ◽  
Ramón Reñé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Speech Therapy ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Semantic Knowledge ◽  
Errorless Learning ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Primary Progressive ◽  
Semantic Variant ◽  
Naming Tasks

Background: The semantic variant of primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) is characterized by a progressive loss of semantic knowledge impairing the ability to name and to recognize the meaning of words. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the immediate and short-term effect of errorless learning speech therapy on the naming and recognition of commonly used words in patients with svPPA. Methods: Eight participants diagnosed with svPPA received 16 sessions of intensive errorless learning speech therapy. Naming and word comprehension tasks were evaluated at baseline, immediately postintervention, and at follow-up after 1, 3, and 6 months. These evaluations were performed using two item sets (a trained list and an untrained list). Results: In the naming tasks, patients showed a significant improvement in trained items immediately after the intervention, but that improvement decayed progressively when therapy ended. No improvements were found either in trained comprehension or in untrained tasks. Conclusion: Errorless learning therapy could improve naming ability in patients with svPPA. This effect may be due to the relative preservation of episodic memory, but the benefit is not maintained over time, presumably because there is no consolidation.

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