Background: Communication is an important priority in dementia research. Communication strategies and scaffolds, specifically through augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), offer vital compensatory support for persons with dementia in an attempt to maintain the latter's quality of life and well-being through participation with others. To date, no research review has been published that synthesizes the current research of AAC in the field of dementia. Aims: To provide an overview of current AAC strategies and techniques used for supporting communication in dementia by surveying the literature base in a systematic manner, synthesizing the findings and highlighting trends and gaps. Methods & Procedures:A multifaceted search strategy included nine electronic database searches, using specific keywords. Application of predefined selection criteria during screening procedures led to the inclusion of 39 studies. Data were extracted and studies synthesized according to communication partners; description of AAC strategies and techniques; outcome measures; and communication outcomes.Main Contribution: This review shows that the majority of the research to date has focused on supporting the interactions of persons with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) using non-electronic memory and communication aids. Future research should focus on social participation and person-centred communication to optimize functional communication with AAC. Training programmes targeting dyadic interaction and supporting persons with dementia from diverse ethnic backgrounds are avenues for further research. Conclusions: Research trends and, more importantly, the gaps highlighted in this research review present speechlanguage therapists and researchers with a set of current priorities that are necessary for the advancement of the knowledge base. What this paper addsWhat is already known on the subject Communication strategies and scaffolds, specifically through AAC, are known to offer vital compensatory support for persons with dementia. Studies of AAC in dementia are scattered across previous reviews based on the focus and scope of each enquiry. No current reviews exist that have specifically focused on supporting dementia-related communication with AAC. As such, a more systematic approach to synthesize the current knowledge base is required. What this paper adds to existing knowledgeThis research review is the first to search the literature systematically: first, to locate studies focused on AAC that are used to support communication in persons with dementia; and second, to synthesize the findings obtained. 858Auriel A. May et al. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?This review makes a unique contribution to the field of dementia by presenting researchers with a set of current priorities that are necessary for the advancement of the knowledge base.
Assistive technology (AT) with context-aware computing and artificial intelligence capabilities can be applied to address cognitive and communication impairments experienced by persons with dementia (PwD). This paper aims to provide an overview of current literature regarding some characteristics of intelligent assistive technology devices (IATDs) for cognitive and communicative impairments of PwD. It also aims to identify the areas of impairment addressed by these IATDs.A multi-faceted systematic search strategy yielded records. Predefined criteria were applied for inclusion and data extraction. Thereafter data was thematically analysed and synthesised. This review demonstrates that almost all of the research involving IATDs has focused on cognitive impairments of PwD and has not yet evolved past the conceptual or prototype stages of development. Summaries of commercially available IATDs for PwD and relevant prototypes are provided at the end of this review. This research concluded that IATDs for PwD targeting cognition and communication problems primarily focus on social robots, and that they address cognitive impairments of attention, affect, and social-pragmatic communicative impairments. Future research endeavours concerning AT for PwD should explore collaboration between computer engineering and health practitioners to address the identified gaps. This may contribute to the available information for evidence-based decision making for PwD.Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is beneficial to support the degenerative cognitive-communication difficulties experienced by PwD (Fried-Oken et al., 2015). As a scientific field of clinical practice, AAC applies evidence-based techniques and strategies that offer communication support through unaided or aided systems (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA], n.d). Unaided systems do not require any tools, devices or technology but the use of one's body (e.g. manual signs, facial expressions) (ASHA, 2019). Aided systems are tools or devices, which are further categorised as either non-electronic, paper-based solutions (e.g. picture communication books) or electronic, technologically dependent devices (e.g. computer technology) (ASHA, n.d.;Waller, 2019). AAC may also include assistive devices to augment natural communication abilities and to support communication and companionship, promote relationships and thereby reduce social isolation of PwD (Evans et al., 2011;Goodall et al., 2020).AAC interventions for PwD compensate for, maintain, or enhance memory, communication functions and participation in life activities for PwD. For instance, AAC interventions focus on the strengths of the PwD (e.g. reading skills) to support memory (e.g. pictures with written labels as visual aids/reminders) (Lanzi et al., 2017). The majority of AAC interventions for PwD still involve the use of non-electronic systems. However, there is a shift to exploring technology with natural language processing (computer algorithms that can analyse, adapt, supplement, or gener...
Introduction: Involving youth with severe communication disabilities in health research is foregrounded in a perspective of rights and participation. Researchers aligned with a participatory and inclusive research agenda recommend that involving youth in health research should be a deliberate and well-planned process. However, limited examples exist of how researchers can facilitate the involvement of youth with severe communication disabilities in research projects. Method: The aim of this paper was to describe the application of the Involvement Matrix as a conceptual framework to guide the three phases of a research project with youth with severe communication disabilities.Results: Six youth aged 19-34 years consented to be involved in the project. All youth had a severe communication disability and used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to support their involvement in the research project. The Involvement Matrix provided a structure to delineate four involvement roles in three research phases: In Phase 1, youth were listeners to research information and advisors in the needs analysis. In Phase 2, as advisors and decision-makers, youth provided their opinions on selecting picture communication symbols for health materials. In Phase 3, as partners, they were copresenters at an online youth forum.
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