The Aging Males' Symptoms rating scale: cultural and linguistic validation into English

Purpose Severe dysphagia with weak pharyngeal peristalsis after dorsal lateral medullary infarction (LMI) requires long-term tube feeding. However, no study is currently available on therapeutic effectiveness in severe dysphagia caused by nuclear damage of vagus nerve after dorsal LMI. The purpose of the present investigation was to explore the potential of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) to improve severe dysphagia with weak pharyngeal peristalsis after dorsal LMI. Method We assessed the efficacy of 6-week tVNS in a 28-year-old woman presented with persisting severe dysphagia after dorsal LMI who had been on nasogastric feeding for 6 months. tVNS was applied for 20 min twice a day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks. The outcome measures included saliva spitted, Swallow Function Scoring System, Functional Oral Intake Scale, Clinical Assessment of Dysphagia With Wallenberg Syndrome, Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale, and upper esophagus X-ray examination. Results After tVNS, the patient was advanced to a full oral diet without head rotation or spitting. No saliva residue was found in the valleculae and pyriform sinuses. Contrast medium freely passed through the upper esophageal sphincter. Conclusion Our findings suggest that tVNS might provide a useful means for recovery of severe dysphagia with weak pharyngeal peristalsis after dorsal LMI. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.9755438

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

Perspectives on Administration and Supervision ◽

10.1044/aas25.1.50 ◽

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.

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AAC Collaboration Using the Self-Anchored Rating Scales (SARS): An Aphasia Case Study

Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication ◽

10.1044/aac21.4.136 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 136-143

Author(s):

Lynn E. Fox

Keyword(s):

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Rating Scales ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Therapeutic Process ◽

Family Counseling ◽

The Self ◽

Alternative Communication ◽

Her Family ◽

Solution Focused

Abstract The self-anchored rating scale (SARS) is a technique that augments collaboration between Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) interventionists, their clients, and their clients' support networks. SARS is a technique used in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, a branch of systemic family counseling. It has been applied to treating speech and language disorders across the life span, and recent case studies show it has promise for promoting adoption and long-term use of high and low tech AAC. I will describe 2 key principles of solution-focused therapy and present 7 steps in the SARS process that illustrate how clinicians can use the SARS to involve a person with aphasia and his or her family in all aspects of the therapeutic process. I will use a case study to illustrate the SARS process and present outcomes for one individual living with aphasia.

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Testing the Significance of the Agreement Among Observers

Journal of Speech and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/jshr.1101.05 ◽

1968 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 5-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Martin A. Young ◽

Tom D. Downs

Keyword(s):

Rating Scale ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Speech Disorder ◽

Interquartile Range ◽

Speech Pathology ◽

Observer Ratings

Ratings by observers are often used in speech pathology to measure complex speech dimensions; this seems reasonable since a speech “disorder” represents the product of an observer’s evaluation and a speaker’s performance. An index of the validity of these evaluations may be estimated by the amount of agreement among the observers. In this paper, the semi-interquartile range and the intraclass correlation are discussed as possible indices of agreement, and another index is suggested, based on the range of observer ratings. Under the assumption that the distribution of ratings is uniform when ratings are randomly assigned, that is, the observers show no agreement, tables were constructed to indicate the probability of any range for selected numbers of observers and rating scale categories. Some applications for this index concern the training of observers, estimating the number of observers needed, and the construction of master scales.

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