Interventions to Enable Communication for Adult Patients Requiring an Artificial Airway With or Without Mechanical Ventilator Support
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Rose, L., Sutt, A. L., et al. (2021).
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 10(10), Cd013379.
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the effect of visual augmentative and alternative communication devices, sound generating devices, and voice-enabling aids and techniques (e.g., speaking valves, digital occulsion, ventilator-adjusted leak speech) for adults with tracheostomy or endotracheal tube.
The Cochrane Collaboration; TD Nurse Professorship in Critical Care Nursing held by Dr. Louise Rose (Canada); Discretionary Professorship Funds (Canada)
From database inception to July 30, 2020
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs, cluster-RCTs, controlled non-randomized parallel group, and before-after studies
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<div>For adults with tracheostomy or endotracheal tube, there was insufficient evidence for the effects of non-vocal communication aids on:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>time to communication,</li>
<li>phonation,</li>
<li>ability to communication needs/preferences,</li>
<li>quality of life, and</li>
<li>reduced hospital costs and adverse events</li>
</ul>
<div> Pooled findings for primary and secondary outcomes could not be completed due to limited number of studies, risk of bias and heterogeneity across studies. Further research is warranted.</div>
</div>
<div>There is low certainty of evidence regarding the effects of speaking values on ability to phonate (2 studies; RR = 3.03) compared to usual care for adults with tracheostomy or endotracheal tube.</div>
<div>Adults with tracheostomy or endotracheal tube were more satisfied with non-vocal communication aids compared to usual care without the use of communication aids (SMD = 2.92; Very Low Certainty Evidence).</div>
