Evidence-Based Systematic Review: Effects of Speech-Language Pathology Treatment for Individuals With Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 566-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita R. Patel ◽  
Rebecca Venediktov ◽  
Tracy Schooling ◽  
Beverly Wang

Purpose In this article, our goal was to determine the state of the evidence and the effect of speech-language pathology (SLP) treatment for individuals with paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM). Method The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's National Center for Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Disorders searched 22 electronic databases using key words related to PVFM, speech or voice treatment, and behavioral intervention for articles published through July 2013. Identified articles were systematically evaluated to assess the quality of the evidence using a modification of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's critical appraisal scheme. Results Sixty-five articles met the search criteria. Only 2 out of the 65 articles were judged to contain adequate evidence to evaluate the effect of SLP treatment for PVFM. All 65 articles exemplify the state of the evidence for SLP treatment for PVFM. Conclusion The state of the evidence for the use of SLP treatment is in its infancy, with a majority of articles in the exploratory stage of research. Consequently, few clinical implications can be drawn at this time. SLP treatment for PVFM is promising; however, there is clearly a pressing need for systematic experimental studies that involve a control group to further the evidence base.

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 100-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne K. Bothe

This article presents some streamlined and intentionally oversimplified ideas about educating future communication disorders professionals to use some of the most basic principles of evidence-based practice. Working from a popular five-step approach, modifications are suggested that may make the ideas more accessible, and therefore more useful, for university faculty, other supervisors, and future professionals in speech-language pathology, audiology, and related fields.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 357-370
Author(s):  
Matthew L. Cohen ◽  
William D. Hula

Purpose The patient's perspective of their health is a core component of evidence-based practice (EBP) and person-centered care. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs), captured with PRO measures (PROMs), are the main way of formally soliciting and measuring the patient's perspective. Currently, however, PROs play a relatively small role in mainstream speech-language pathology practice. The purpose of this article is to raise important questions about how PROs could be applied to EBP in speech-language pathology for individuals with communication disorders and to propose preliminary approaches to address some of these questions. Method Based on a narrative review of the literature, this article introduces relevant terminology and broadly describes PRO applications in other health care fields. The article also raises questions related to PRO-informed clinical practice in speech-language pathology. To address some of these questions, the article explores previous research to provide suggestions for clinical administration, interpretation, and future research. Conclusion More routine measurement of subjective health constructs via PROMs—for example, constructs such as effort, participation, self-efficacy, and psychosocial functioning—may improve EBP. More routine use of PROMs could significantly expand the information that is available to clinicians about individual clients and add to the evidence base for the profession of speech-language pathology. However, careful consideration and more research are needed on how to capture and interpret PROs from individuals with cognitive and language disorders.


Author(s):  
Arnold Olszewski ◽  
Kirsty Rae

Purpose Intervention research in speech-language pathology is growing; however, there remains a gap between research and clinical practice. To promote evidence-based practice, stakeholder input may be solicited during the development and evaluation of treatments. One method of evaluating stakeholder input is by subjectively measuring social validity. Social validity probes end users' satisfaction and acceptability of a treatment. Method This review article explores the type and frequency of subjective social validity measures reported in speech-language pathology treatment literature published in American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology; Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research; and Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools from January 2017 through April 2019. In total, 93 treatment studies were included and coded descriptively. Results Of the 93 treatment studies included in this review, 20 reported subjective measures of social validity. The most common method of measurement was questionnaires ( n = 19), followed by interviews ( n = 5), and direct observation ( n = 1). Conclusions Only 21.5% of reviewed speech-language pathology treatment articles from American Speech-Language-Hearing Association journals reported measures of social validity, although it is a crucial component of implementation of evidence-based practice. We urge researchers and journal editors to include social validity measures in treatment literature as we promote the uptake of evidence-based practices and the involvement of stakeholders during the development of evidence-based practices. We also encourage the development of social validity measures that can be validated on individuals with communication disorders.


Author(s):  
Melissa A. Pierce

In countries other than the United States, the study and practice of speech-language pathology is little known or nonexistent. Recognition of professionals in the field is minimal. Speech-language pathologists in countries where speech-language pathology is a widely recognized and respected profession often seek to share their expertise in places where little support is available for individuals with communication disorders. The Peace Corps offers a unique, long-term volunteer opportunity to people with a variety of backgrounds, including speech-language pathologists. Though Peace Corps programs do not specifically focus on speech-language pathology, many are easily adapted to the profession because they support populations of people with disabilities. This article describes how the needs of local children with communication disorders are readily addressed by a Special Education Peace Corps volunteer.


Author(s):  
Nidhi Mahendra

This article details the experience of two South Asian individuals with family members who had communication disorders. I provide information on intrinsic and extrinsic barriers reported by these clients in responses to a survey and during individual ethnographic interviews. These data are part of a larger study and provide empirical support of cultural and linguistic barriers that may impede timely access to and utilization of speech-language pathology (SLP) services. The purpose of this article is to shed light on barriers and facilitators that influence South Asian clients' access to SLP services. I provide and briefly analyze two case vignettes to provide readers a phenomenological perspective on client experiences. Data about barriers limiting access to SLP services were obtained via client surveys and individual interviews. These two clients' data were extracted from a larger study (Mahendra, Scullion, Hamerschlag, Cooper, & La, 2011) in which 52 racially/ethnically diverse clients participated. Survey items and interview questions were designed to elicit information about client experiences when accessing SLP services. Results reveal specific intrinsic and extrinsic barriers that affected two South Asian clients' access to SLP services and have important implications for all providers.


2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rik Lemoncello ◽  
Bryan Ness

In this paper, we review concepts of evidence-based practice (EBP), and provide a discussion of the current limitations of EBP in terms of a relative paucity of efficacy evidence and the limitations of applying findings from randomized controlled clinical trials to individual clinical decisions. We will offer a complementary model of practice-based evidence (PBE) to encourage clinical scientists to design, implement, and evaluate our own clinical practices with high-quality evidence. We will describe two models for conducting PBE: the multiple baseline single-case experimental design and a clinical case study enhanced with generalization and control data probes. Gathering, analyzing, and sharing high-quality data can offer additional support through PBE to support EBP in speech-language pathology. It is our hope that these EBP and PBE strategies will empower clinical scientists to persevere in the quest for best practices.


2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-11
Author(s):  
Susan Sparks ◽  
Lisa Van Horne

Abstract There is an increasing demand for qualified individuals available in our profession. One answer to this crisis is to hire trained speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) to assist speech language pathologists (SLPs). Shoreline Community College's SLPA program was created in response to the shortage of fully trained SLPs. The program is designed in strict compliance with ASHA's guidelines (ASHA, 2004). Students attend lectures remotely, complete assigned reading, take quizzes, engage in in-class and online discussions, turn in assignments, and take exams without ever having to commute to the Shoreline campus. This allows students from across the state to complete their education while continuing to live and work in their communities.


2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 470-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally J. K. Gallena ◽  
Nancy Pearl Solomon ◽  
Arthur T. Johnson ◽  
Jafar Vossoughi ◽  
Wei Tian

Purpose An investigational, portable instrument was used to assess inspiratory (R i ) and expiratory (R e ) resistances during resting tidal breathing (RTB), postexercise breathing (PEB), and recovery breathing (RB) in athletes with and without paradoxical vocal fold motion disorder (PVFMD). Method Prospective, controlled, repeated measures within-subject and between-groups design. Twenty-four teenage female athletes, 12 with and 12 without PVFMD, breathed into the Airflow Perturbation Device for baseline measures of respiratory resistance and for two successive 1-min trials after treadmill running for up to 12 min. Exercise duration and dyspnea ratings were collected and compared across groups. Results Athletes with PVFMD had lower than control R i and R e values during RTB that significantly increased at PEB and decreased during RB. Control athletes' R e decreased significantly from RTB to PEB but not from PEB to RB, whereas R i did not change from RTB to PEB but decreased from PEB to RB. Athletes without PVFMD ran longer, providing lower dyspnea ratings. Conclusion Immediately following exercise, athletes with PVFMD experienced increased respiratory resistance that affected their exercise performance. The difference in resting respiratory resistances between groups is intriguing and could point to anatomical differences or neural adaptation in teenagers with PVFMD. The Airflow Perturbation Device appears to be a clinically feasible tool that can provide insight into PVFMD and objective data for tracking treatment progress.


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