Implementing a Standardized Language Evaluation in the Acute Phases of Aphasia: Linking Evidence-Based Practice and Practice-Based Evidence

The Role of Enablement Theory in Rehabilitation Practice, Education, and Research

Enablement theory refers to the theoretical framework that describes the interrelationships among different areas of functioning, such as those illustrated by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Enablement theory is necessary to explain causal relationships and predictions of how changes in one aspect of function impact distal outcomes. This is in contrast with treatment theory, which describes how the active ingredient(s) of an intervention directly impact a measurable target. Enablement theory helps clinicians articulate their rehabilitation treatment plans by identifying the underlying targets necessary to achieve a patient's desired outcomes and monitor the response to treatment. In this manner, enablement theory can also support the education of novice and experienced clinicians and/or trainees in their clinical reasoning process. Enablement theory helps researchers articulate the relationships they hypothesize between the aspects of function they seek to change with an intervention and the immediate and distal outcomes of that intervention. Researchers can then design the rehabilitation intervention and identify key outcome measures to rigorously test their conceptual framework, including the important mediators of the intervention's effects, and aid in the interpretation of study results. The use of enablement models has not been well-described in the rehabilitation literature, and formal research focused on understanding the nature and strength of the relationships within these enablement models is necessary to advance the field of rehabilitation. We discuss how enablement theory contributes to our understanding of rehabilitation interventions in the context of clinical practice, health professions education, and rehabilitation research.

Barriers and facilitators to outcome measurement and treatment practices in aphasia rehabilitation in the USA: a mixed methods approach using the Theoretical Domains Framework

PURPOSE

To identify clinician-perceived barriers and facilitators to the delivery of outcome measurement and evidence-based treatment practices and integration of these practices in aphasia rehabilitation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a convergent mixed methods design, aphasia clinicians (n = 87) across care settings in the United States completed an online survey designed within the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Participants responded to open-ended questions and rated Likert scale statements. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis and quantitative data were summarized using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Factors related to the TDF domain of "environmental context and resources" (priority and productivity demands; characteristics of resources) were cited as primary barriers in 70% of qualitative responses for both outcome and treatment practices and were consistent with Likert rating statements. Facilitators were associated with TDF domains of "memory, attention, decision-making" (decision-making processes), "knowledge" (awareness of evidence) and "social influences" (client and caregiver preferences).

CONCLUSIONS

Organizational-level factors and the misalignment of the research evidence with clinical needs are barriers to delivering evidence-based care in aphasia rehabilitation. Theoretically informed strategies such as establishing organizational infrastructure for practice change, developing clinically relevant evidence through research-practice partnerships, and implementing algorithms to support clinical decision-making can address barriers and leverage facilitators.

Using the RE-AIM and TDF frameworks to evaluate the implementation of a standardized cognitive assessment protocol in outpatient rehabilitation

BACKGROUND

Impairments in cognition significantly affect patient functioning and rehabilitation outcomes. Assessment is essential to identifying at-risk individuals and guiding care plans.

OBJECTIVE

A cognitive assessment protocol was implemented in occupational therapy (OT) and speech-language pathology (SLP) outpatient practice. Using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), this study (1) measured the reach and adoption of the cognitive assessment protocol and (2) explored determinants and strategies that may affect adoption.

DESIGN

Sequential mixed methods.

SETTING

Two outpatient rehabilitation clinics (A and B) within a health care network.

PARTICIPANTS

Medical records from 220 adult patients with neurologic diagnosis and 15 OT and SLP clinicians.

INTERVENTIONS

Cognitive assessment protocol.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Reach of the assessment protocol across patient characteristics and adoption across clinical sites were measured quantitatively via retrospective electronic medical records review. Qualitative data on effectiveness and the implementation process were collected via clinician focus groups.

RESULTS

Protocol adoption rates were 71% and 54% at clinics A and B, respectively. Site B OT was more likely to be noncompliant with protocol adoption compared to Site A, when controlling for patient characteristics, (81% vs. 16%, respectively; odds ratio = 11.4, 95% confidence interval [3.36-38.64], p ≤ .001). Patient age was a significant factor for protocol reach; older age was associated with noncompliance of the SLP protocol adoption, p < .05. Both sites employed implementation strategies targeting the provider level (eg, education/training); Site A additionally included organization-level strategies (eg, leadership engagement). In the absence of organization-level strategies, OT and SLP clinicians at Site B identified barriers related to leadership support, resources, and workflow.

CONCLUSIONS

Standardized practice protocols are feasible to implement within the rehabilitation setting, though multilevel implementation strategies may be needed to promote adoption. Aligning practices with the needs, values and priorities of the organization, providers, and patients and families is imperative.

An exploratory study of longitudinal trajectory of language, swallowing and cognition post endovascular clot retrieval

BACKGROUND

Endovascular clot retrieval (ECR) is known to reduce global disability at 3 months post stroke however limited research exists regarding the trajectory of specific clinical impairments including language, swallowing and cognitive deficits between onset and 3 months.

AIMS

To assess language, swallowing, and cognitive performance following ECR and explore whether impairment severity is correlated with modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score (mTICI), stroke severity or quality of life (QoL).

METHODS

Assessment was completed within 7 days (T1), 1 month (T2) and 3 months (T3) post-stroke. Performance was measured with the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Repeatable Battery for Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), Trail Making Test (TMT A and B) and Brixton Spatial Awareness Test. The Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) was used for left hemisphere stroke. QoL was measured with the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale.

RESULTS

Twenty-five participants (median 72 years; 64% male) were prospectively recruited following ECR. High reperfusion success (68% mTICI 3) and low stroke severity post ECR (median 24 h NIHSS = 3, IQR 7-18) were noted. At T1, 10 participants presented with aphasia, eight required a modified diet and 20 had impaired cognition. At T3 all had recovered to a normal oral diet, 39% had persistent cognitive impairment and 45% of patients with left hemisphere stroke remained aphasic. Performance on the WAB, FOIS, RBANS and TMT changed significantly over time (all p < 0.05). The severity score at T1 for all measures, excluding TMT B and Brixton, was significantly correlated with 24 h NIHSS. WAB scores at T3 were correlated with QoL (r = 0.618; p = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

This exploratory study found the longitudinal performance of language, swallowing and cognition significantly improved over time and severity in the first-week post-ECR was correlated with 24 h NIHSS rather than the degree of reperfusion.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on the subject Randomised control trials have demonstrated the benefit of ECR in patients with ischemic stroke using global measures of disability and function. Limited research exists regarding the trajectory of specific clinical impairments including language, swallowing and cognitive deficits. There is also a reliance on screening assessments and a lack of consideration of the influence of co-occurring impairments. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This prospective study is amongst the first to explore the longitudinal trajectory of language, swallowing and cognitive impairment using a standardised assessment battery. Twenty-four-hour NIHSS was significantly correlated with language, swallowing, global cognition and some measures of executive function. Language performance post ECR was correlated with domain-specific cognitive assessment of attention, immediate memory and delayed memory, which differed from swallowing performance post ECR that correlated with measures of executive function. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? It is important for speech-language pathologists and the wider medical team to monitor language, swallowing and cognitive performance post ECR regardless of treatment success. Stroke severity at 24 h post-ECR influences the severity of language, swallowing and cognitive impairments.

Allied Health Clinicians' Uptake of Evidence in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review of Determinants Targeted in Implementation Studies

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine whether targeting specific implementation determinants is associated with allied health clinicians' uptake of evidence when implemented within stroke rehabilitation settings.

DATA SOURCES

7 key databases were searched to identify articles published between 1990 and 2022 for inclusion. Reference lists of relevant articles were hand searched.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies were independently screened by 2 authors and included if the implementation intervention targeted allied health clinical practice in any stroke rehabilitation context and reported at least 1 quantitative measure of evidence uptake. Thirty studies met inclusion criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were independently extracted by the first and second author. Implementation outcomes for each study were categorized as either mostly successful, partially successful, or not successful based on the degree of evidence uptake achieved. Determinants targeted were categorized using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

DATA SYNTHESIS

Patterns between the degree of evidence uptake and determinants targeted across studies were analyzed by the first and second authors in 1 of 3 groups: A (pre-post statistical analysis), B (pre-post descriptive analysis), or C (post-only descriptive analysis). Patterns between evidence uptake and determinants targeted were first identified within groups A and B, with group C consulted to support findings. All studies categorized as "mostly successful" targeted facilitation in combination with establishing face-to-face networks and communication strategies. Conversely, no studies rated "not successful" targeted either of these determinants. Studies rated "partially successful" targeted either 1, but seldom both, of these determinants.

CONCLUSIONS

This review has provided descriptive evidence of determinants which may be important to target for allied health clinicians' uptake of evidence within stroke rehabilitation settings.

Research hotspots and frontiers of post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation: a bibliometric study and visualization analysis

Background

Aphasia is a common complication of stroke and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in the comprehensive management of post-stroke aphasia and its consequences. However, bibliometric analysis in the field of post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation is still lacking. This study aimed to comprehensively identify assistance networks, analyze research trends, focus on hot and cutting-edge health topics related to post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation, and inform future research guidelines.

Methods

The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) electronic database was searched from inception to January 4, 2023 to identify studies related to post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation. Bibliometric analysis and visualization of country, institution, journal, author, reference, and keywords were performed using CiteSpace and VOSviewer software.

Results

A total of 2,325 papers were included in the analysis, with a progressive increase in the number of articles published each year. The USA was the country with the most publications (809 articles), and the University of Queensland was the institution with the most publications (137 articles). The subject area of post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation is dominated by clinical neurology (882 articles). Aphasiology was the journal with the most publications (254 articles) and the most cited journal (6,893 citations). Worrall L was the most prolific author (51 publications), and Frideriksson J was the most cited author (804 citations).

Conclusion

By using bibliometrics, we provided a comprehensive review of studies related to post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation. Future research hotspots on topics related to post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation will mainly focus on the plasticity mechanisms of neurolinguistics networks, language function assessment, language rehabilitation modalities, and patients' rehabilitation needs and participation experiences in post-stroke aphasia. This paper provides systematic information that is worth exploring in the future.

How a Power Differential Between Clinicians and Researchers Contributes to the Research-to-Practice Gap

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to contend that there is a power differential between researchers and clinicians where researchers are the primary creators of knowledge and clinicians are the primary consumers of knowledge. Rooted in a sociological model illustrating interacting levels of power at macro-, meso-, and microlevels, we argue that authentic research-practice partnerships and clinician-researcher collaborations can mitigate this power differential.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians and researchers in our field have vastly different responsibilities and priorities that impact our ability to work collaboratively to solve the most pressing problems for the clients we serve. Although some current research practices may reinforce a power differential causing clinicians to feel less than and to only consume knowledge, there are examples of successful collaborations where this power differential is mitigated. These examples can contribute meaningfully to the dialogue on research-practice partnerships, with the goal of improving outcomes for the clients we serve.

Implementation Science Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders: A Scoping Review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to complete a scoping review of implementation science (IS) research in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) over time and to determine characteristics of IS research in CSD.

METHOD

A scoping review was conducted of PubMed and Education Resources Information Center for sources published in English that (a) included CSD practitioners, (b) addressed IS research, and (c) identified a specific evidence-based practice. Resulting sources were systematically examined for study aim, patient populations, implementation framework utilized, setting of the study, implementation strategy examined, and implementation outcome measured.

RESULTS

The majority of the 82 studies that underwent a full-text review (80.5%) were published in 2014 or later. One fourth of the studies were concept papers, and another one fourth focused on context assessment (25.6% of studies, each), 11% focused on designing implementation strategies, and 36.6% focused on testing implementation strategies. The patient population most frequently represented aphasia (21.3%), and most studies (34.4%) were conducted in inpatient medical settings. Nearly half (42.6%) of the nonconcept studies lacked an IS framework. Among implementation strategies identified, approximately one third of studies focused on education and/or training plus another strategy and one fourth focused on education and/or training alone. Implementation outcomes measured typically represented early stages of implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review of IS research in CSD described the landscape of IS studies in CSD. IS is intersecting with CSD at a rapid rate, especially since 2014. Future IS research in CSD should adopt an implementation framework a priori and consider the broad range of implementation strategies and outcomes to support the uptake of research into typical practice settings.

Using an Implementation Framework to Survey Outcome Measurement and Treatment Practices in Aphasia

PURPOSE

Best practices in the field of aphasia rehabilitation increasingly acknowledge a whole-person approach that values interventions aimed at reducing impairments, while also recognizing the impact of aphasia on participation and quality of life. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), this study aimed to examine whether current clinical practices along levels of service provision reflect this whole-person, multifaceted approach.

METHOD

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the United States who provide intervention to people with aphasia across the continuum of care completed this cross-sectional online survey. Current outcome measurement and treatment practices were evaluated within the Living With Aphasia: Framework for Outcome Measurement via multiple-choice and open-text response questions. Data were analyzed descriptively and using ordinal logistic regression models to compare clinical practices along levels of service provision.

RESULTS

Data from 90 SLPs revealed that language and cognitive skills are assessed with equal consistency across clinical settings; however, functional communication, participation, and quality of life domains are prioritized in settings providing care to clients within the community. Psychological well-being is rarely assessed within clinical practice along most of the rehabilitation process and prioritized within the university clinic setting when clients are in the chronic stage of recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical practices related to a multifaceted approach to aphasia intervention are variable across levels of service provision. Further exploration of barriers and facilitators to multifaceted aphasia care along the domains of the CFIR is needed to provide an informed approach to implementing change.

Data-Driven, Visual Framework for the Characterization of Aphasias Across Stroke, Post-resective, and Neurodegenerative Disorders Over Time

Aphasia classifications and specialized language batteries differ across the fields of neurodegenerative disorders and lesional brain injuries, resulting in difficult comparisons of language deficits across etiologies. In this study, we present a simplified framework, in which a widely-used aphasia battery captures clinical clusters across disease etiologies and provides a quantitative and visual method to characterize and track patients over time. The framework is used to evaluate populations representing three disease etiologies: stroke, primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and post-operative aphasia. A total of 330 patients across three populations with cerebral injury leading to aphasia were investigated, including 76 patients with stroke, 107 patients meeting criteria for PPA, and 147 patients following left hemispheric resective surgery. Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) measures (Information Content, Fluency, answering Yes/No questions, Auditory Word Recognition, Sequential Commands, and Repetition) were collected across the three populations and analyzed to develop a multi-dimensional aphasia model using dimensionality reduction techniques. Two orthogonal dimensions were found to explain 87% of the variance across aphasia phenotypes and three disease etiologies. The first dimension reflects shared weighting across aphasia subscores and correlated with aphasia severity. The second dimension incorporates fluency and comprehension, thereby separating Wernicke's from Broca's aphasia, and the non-fluent/agrammatic from semantic PPA variants. Clusters representing clinical classifications, including late PPA presentations, were preserved within the two-dimensional space. Early PPA presentations were not classifiable, as specialized batteries are needed for phenotyping. Longitudinal data was further used to visualize the trajectory of aphasias during recovery or disease progression, including the rapid recovery of post-operative aphasic patients. This method has implications for the conceptualization of aphasia as a spectrum disorder across different disease etiology and may serve as a framework to track the trajectories of aphasia progression and recovery.