The impact of PD Check‐In on self‐management skills for maintenance of speech after intensive treatment

• Published in: International journal of language & communication disorders 2024-07, Vol.59 (4), p.1628-1646
• Main Authors: Finnimore, Ann, Theodoros, Deborah, Rumbach, Anna F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Content analysis; Female; Humans; Language Therapy - methods; LSVT LOUD; maintenance; Male; Middle Aged; Parkinson Disease - rehabilitation; Parkinson Disease - therapy; Parkinson's disease; Qualitative Research; Self concept; Self-Management - methods; self‐management; Skills; Speech; Speech Disorders - rehabilitation; Speech Disorders - therapy; Speech therapy; Speech Therapy - methods; Voice Training
• ISSN: 1368-2822; 1460-6984; 1460-6984
• DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.13024

Background Maintenance of speech outcomes following speech‐language therapy (SLT) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is an unmet expectation of people with PD (PWPD) and poorly defined in SLT practice. PD Check‐In, a model for supported self‐managed maintenance of speech following Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) LOUD was investigated. Aims To investigate the impact of the semi‐structured component of PD Check‐In on the adoption of self‐management concepts and behaviours and the identification of facilitators, barriers and strategies for speech maintenance by PWPD over 24 months post‐treatment. Methods and procedure Following LSVT LOUD, 16 PWPD participated in individual PD Check‐In semi‐structured discussions with a SLT at 6 and 12 weeks, and 6, 12 and 24 months post treatment. A two‐stage qualitative content analysis was applied: directed content analysis using categories from the theoretical framework of PD Check‐In followed by inductive content analysis to identify subcategories. Outcomes and results Statements from PWPD indicated adoption of seven concepts of self‐management across participants and across time. Six concepts from the theoretical framework of PD Check‐In (partnerships, self‐reflection, maintenance barriers and facilitators, revision of LSVT LOUD skill, goal setting and maintenance strategies), and one new category, participation, emerged from the analysis. Self‐reflection, maintenance facilitators and barriers and participation were most prevalent in discussions. PWPD identified facilitators, barriers and strategies for maintenance across time points. Conclusions and implications Statements from PWPD indicated a positive impact of SLT‐supported self‐management of speech using self‐tailored strategies for sustainable maintenance according to their individual circumstances and needs. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS What is already known on this subject People with Parkinson's disease (PWPD) have expressed their need for speech‐language therapy (SLT) services that are accessible for the duration of the condition and responsive to their expectation of maintaining speech following treatment. Outcomes for maintenance of the treatment effect following Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) LOUD are variable. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study presents the outcomes of five PD Check‐In interventions delivered in semi‐structured discussions between PWPD and a SLT over 24 months following LSVT LOUD for the development of self‐management skills