Communication Partner Training in Aphasia: An Updated Systematic Review
Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Simmons-Mackie, N., Raymer, A., et al. (2016).
Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 97(12), 2202-2221.e8.
This updated systematic review investigates the effect of communication partner training on a variety of outcomes (e.g., language impairment, communication activitiy/participation, psychosocial adjustment/identity, quality of life) in adults, 18 years and older, with acute or chronic aphasia and their communication partners.
Not stated
From 2008 to July 2015
All study designs (e.g., group designs, quantitative, qualitative, single participant experimental research, and case studies)
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In general, the results of the review suggest that conversation partner training is probably effective for improving communication participation and functional communication for individuals with chronic aphasia. There was only one located study investigating the impact of conversational partner training for people with acute (i.e., <4 months post-onset) aphasia, which demonstrated improvements in perceived communication abilities by both the provider and the participants. However, due to an overall paucity of research, there was insufficient evidence to support the use of conversation partner training for people with acute aphasia. Overall, limitations to this review inclue heterogeneity in study designs and an overall lack of high-quality research.
