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This study explored the feasibility and impact of a novel student-led group-based intervention-Dysphagia Afternoon Tea (DAT)-delivered to community-dwelling people with chronic dysphagia. Communitydwelling individuals with chronic dysphagia (M 70yrs; SO 9.71) participated in the OAT. Participants with dysphagia (n = 20) and students (n = 24) completed questionnaires before and after the OAT assessing knowledge, confidence, anxiety and satisfaction of the group. Participants with dysphagia reported high satisfaction and significantly increased confidence (p = 0.002) and understanding of their swallowing (p = 0.003) following the group. Students reported statistically significant improvements in 11 out of 12 items related to confidence (p = <0.009), all eight questionnaire items assessing dysphagia knowledge (p = <0.02), and reduced anxiety about working with adults with dysphagia (p = 0.001). Student-led group-based intervention may be a feasible service-delivery model for managing people with milder dysphagia in the community and may facilitate dysphagia skill development in students. Further research into clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness of the model should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To determine presence of clinical complications related to dysphagia and to explore their operational outcomes. Background Dysphagia is a common complication of stroke. The management of poststroke dysphagia is multidisciplinary with nurses playing a key role in screening for dysphagia risk, monitoring tolerance of food and fluids and checking for the development of complications such as fever, dehydration and change in medical status. Dysphagia often results in further complications including aspiration pneumonia and the need for nasogastric feeding. Dysphagia-related complications have been shown to have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality, length of stay and cost of admission. Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods A total of 110 patients presenting with an ischaemic stroke were chart-audited. Results Aspiration pneumonia poststroke was found to be significantly associated with increased overall length of stay, poorer functional outcomes poststroke as well as being associated with a high risk of mortality. The presence of a nasogastric tube was also associated with reduced functional outcomes poststroke and increased risk of death. Conclusion High prevalence and cost of complications associated with stroke highlight the complexity of providing nursing and allied health care to this patient population. This provides a snapshot of dysphagia-related complications experienced by stroke patients. Relevance to clinical practice This paper highlights that poststroke complications can significantly impact on patient outcomes and operational factors such as cost of admission; therefore, poststroke care requires a multidisciplinary approach to management. Furthermore, preventing and managing complications poststroke is a key element of nursing care and has the potential to significantly reduce incidence of mortality, length of stay and cost of hospital admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Semantic priming in individuals with anomic aphasia has never been the primary focus of an investigation. To date, one study investigated the effects of semantic priming in individuals with fluent aphasia (including anomic aphasia), revealing an inconsistency in semantic priming in the anomic group. Parallels from Broca’s aphasia and Wernicke’s aphasia literature may be drawn. However, due to the heterogeneity of anomic aphasia, a focused investigation was necessary. Aims: Semantic priming effects were investigated using a cross-modal pairwise paradigm. It was hypothesised that participants with anomic aphasia would demonstrate priming patterns at a stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) of 500 ms with slower overall reaction times (RTs) than the control participants. It was further hypothesised that the participants with anomic aphasia might show less inhibition effects than the control participants. Methods & Procedures: Participants with anomic aphasia (n = 11) and healthy control participants (n = 16) completed a lexical decision task where prime–target pairs were present in equal proportions (related, unrelated, and nonwords). A neutral prime condition was also incorporated. Using a cross-modal pairwise paradigm, participants heard a spoken word 500 ms later, a written word appeared on screen (for 4000 ms). Participants were required to make a decision as to whether the written word was real, and RTs were recorded. Outcomes & Results: Linear mixed model analysis was undertaken and revealed no significant two-way interaction effect, indicating both groups showed priming patterns. A main effect of group was evident, showing faster RTs by the control participant group, confirming our hypothesis that people with anomic aphasia primed at an SOA of 500 ms in a similar manner to the control participants, with slower RTs. Conclusions: Semantic priming effects were present in anomic aphasia at relatively short SOAs and may be contributed to by automatic processes. Several parameters are proposed that should be adopted for further investigation into semantic priming in anomic aphasia including electrophysiological measures and manipulation of SOAs and relatedness proportions (RPs) to more precisely measure the effects of controlled versus automatic processes. Such investigation has the potential to inform new assessment and management techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of thrombolysis in specified patient presentations is supported in the acute phase following ischaemic stroke by stroke clinical guidelines. However, thrombolysis is associated with a number of complications and risks. Further, thrombolysis protocol violations have been associated with increased patient mortality. Although the risks associated with thrombolysis and non-compliance with protocols are recognised, a review of literature and benchmarking suggested that no specific protocols existed to guide speech pathologists through dysphagia management during the critical time period directly post-thrombolysis. As a result, Logan Hospital Speech Pathology Department sought to develop an evidence-based clinical practice protocol to standardise dysphagia service delivery and limit patient and staff risk. This paper presents a review of literature in this area and details regarding the development of The Logan Hospital Dysphagia Clinical Protocol for Thrombolysed Patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study explored the clinical feasibility and costs of embedding three different intensive service delivery models for aphasia treatment (computer, group therapy, and therapy with a speech pathology therapy assistant) within three sub-acute facilities. The study employed a two cohort comparison design, with the first cohort ( n = 22) receiving the standard service of treatment currently offered. This treatment was delivered by a speech-language pathologist and involved on average 3 hours of treatment/week over 8 weeks. Participants in the second cohort ( n = 31) received one of the three intensive treatment models providing up to 9 hours of therapy/week for 11 weeks. Organizational data was collected throughout treatment, with participant, caregiver, and clinician satisfaction with the intensive models also being measured. Participants completed the spoken language production sub-tests and the Disability Questionnaire of the Comprehensive Aphasia Test (CAT) pre- and post-treatment. All intensive models yielded high participant attendance, satisfaction, and significant improvements to the CAT sub-tests. The pro-rata cost of providing treatment per hour per client for the computer and group therapy models was found to be ˜ 30% cheaper compared to the standard service. The outcomes support the potential feasibility of embedding the different models into sub-acute facilities to enhance client access to intensive treatment for aphasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaining clinical competencies in the assessment and management of stuttering is challenging for speech pathology students in many university programs. Lack of local expertise in fluency management and funding shortfalls have resulted in a paucity of quality services in public and private health facilities and schools for adolescents and adults who stutter (AAWS). One method of developing competencies and capacity to support student learning and the needs of AAWS is through student-led intensive smooth speech programs. This study investigated 38 students' perceptions of their anxiety, confidence, and interest levels in working with AAWS. This information was collected prior to and immediately following participation in 5-day intensive programs. Results indicated that students' reported levels of anxiety decreased and that their confidence and interest levels in working with AAWS increased following the program. The benefits of student-delivered intensive programs in clinical education and elements that contribute to their success are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]