Discipline of Speech Pathology, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
Living with Disability Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
Int J Speech Lang Pathol. 2024 Feb;26(1):1-15. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2023.2169352. Epub 2023 Mar 15.
Limited research informs management of cognitive-communication difficulties following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in older adulthood. The purpose of this study was to understand the characteristics and practice of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working with people who sustained TBI at ≥55 years and more specifically their management of cognitive-communication difficulties with this population. This included assessment and treatment practices, resource needs, barriers to practice, and impact to service delivery from COVID-19 restrictions.
A cross-sectional survey-based design with non-probability sampling of SLPs working in Australia with adults with TBI was utilised. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used for analysis of survey data.
Fifty responses were eligible for inclusion. Participants predominantly worked in inpatient rehabilitation (48%), acute (40%), and community settings (36%). Service delivery to adults who sustained TBI at ≥55 years commonly included cognitive-communication management. Assessment and treatment trends are described. Most SLPs (74%) perceived barriers to cognitive-communication management, often relating to time and funding, that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemic restrictions presented additional challenges.
Research relating to cognitive-communication difficulties following TBI in older adulthood is required to support evidence-based practice and inform services for older adults who sustain TBI.
关于老年成年人创伤性脑损伤（TBI）后认知-沟通困难的管理，相关研究有限。本研究的目的是了解从事≥55 岁 TBI 患者工作的言语语言病理学家（SLP）的特点和实践，更具体地了解他们对该人群认知-沟通困难的管理。这包括评估和治疗实践、资源需求、实践障碍以及 COVID-19 限制对服务提供的影响。
采用非概率抽样的澳大利亚成年人 TBI 治疗师的横断面调查设计。使用描述性统计和内容分析对调查数据进行分析。
50 份回复符合纳入标准。参与者主要在住院康复（48%）、急性（40%）和社区环境（36%）中工作。为≥55 岁的 TBI 成年人提供的服务通常包括认知-沟通管理。描述了评估和治疗趋势。大多数 SLP（74%）认为认知-沟通管理存在障碍，这些障碍通常与时间和资金有关，而且在 COVID-19 大流行之前就已经存在。大流行限制带来了额外的挑战。
需要开展关于老年成年人 TBI 后认知-沟通困难的研究，以支持循证实践，并为 TBI 老年患者提供服务。
