High-technology augmentative communication for adults with post-stroke aphasia: a systematic review

Abstract

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems were introduced into clinical practice by therapists to help compensate for persistent language deficits in people with aphasia. Although, there is currently a push towards an increased focus on compensatory approaches in an attempt to maximize communication function for social interaction, available studies including AAC systems, especially technologically advanced communication tools and systems, known as 'high-technology AAC', show key issues and obstacles for these tools to become utilized in mainstream clinical practice. Areas covered: The current review synthesizes communication intervention studies that involved the use of high-technology communication devices to enhance linguistic communication skills for adults with post-stroke aphasia. The review focuses on compensatory approaches that emphasized functional communication. It also summarizes recommendations for the report of studies evaluating high-technology devices that may be potentially relevant for other researchers working with adults with post-stroke aphasia. Expert commentary: Taken together with positive results in heterogeneous studies, high-technology devices represent a compensatory strategy to enhance communicative skills in individuals with post-stroke aphasia. Improvements in the design of studies and reporting of results may lead to better interpretation of the already existing scientific results from aphasia management.

Mental steps: Differential activation of internal pacemakers in motor imagery and in mental imitation of gait

“…Evidence that PD patients recruit additional extrastriate visual resources as a compensatory strategy to solve a MI task [Helmich et al, ] seems in favor of this speculation. Although one might expect rehabilitation protocols to train precisely the system that is impaired (like, for instance, subcortical gait centres in patients with subcortical dysfunctions), an alternative approach, largely applied in neuropsychology, is to implicitly “teach” the patients unconventional strategies to solve the task when the brain structures subserving the primary strategy are no longer functioning (see, for instance, strategies to augment communicative skills in aphasic patients, Russo et al [] and Beukelman et al []). We suggest that mental imitation might be considered one of such alternative strategies to improve gait control in neurological disorders.…”

Technology-Enhanced Reading Therapy for People With Aphasia: Findings From a Quasirandomized Waitlist Controlled Study

“…While a number of technological reading treatments have been employed (e.g. Ong, Brown, Robinson, Plant, Husain & Leff, 2012) only one study explored the compensatory possibilities of hightechnology mainstream digital devices (see Russo et al, 2017). Caute et al (2016) examined whether four individuals with post stroke reading impairments could learn to use a Kindle Keyboard 3G (Amazon) and whether use of the Kindle improved reading comprehension, participation in reading and enjoyment.…”

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems with Signs and Eye Tracker Used in Poland

“…Taking into consideration the range of disorders as an Alzheimer's disease sufferers require special attention whereas AAC devices or its components would be the most valuable for this patients population [50]. Other disorders that patients could benefit from the usage of AAC system include learning disabilities, stroke, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and motor neuron disease [51,52]. Given the review of a number of disorders, consideration should be given to the need for AAC training for nursing staff to facilitate their work with patients who do not communicate verbally or have any difficulty in communicating their needs.…”