Evaluation of AID-COM, a communication-focused program for family carers of people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease: A pilot study (innovative practice)

Chesneau, Sophie; Faucher, Caroline; Morin, Gabrielle; Dorze, Guylaine Le

doi:10.1177/1471301219887038

Cited by 4 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The total duration of the intervention ranged from 1.5 hours to 12.5 hours, with the mean duration being 5.86 hours. Two low‐quality studies did not include information on session length so were not included in the data for session duration and total duration (Chesneau et al, 2019; Silvestri et al, 2004).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although generally demonstrating clear objectives, robust designs and appropriate outcomes, these studies tended to use small sample sizes, have insufficient use of a control group and not consider or control for confounds. Chesneau et al (2019) scored the lowest quality rating (0.43) as the sample size was very small, the participant characteristics were not sufficiently described and the objectives were not clearly stated. One other study fell into the low‐quality category for scoring 0.50 (Silvestri et al, 2004) for similar reasons.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The remaining three studies did not state who delivered the interventions. Three medium‐quality studies (Done & Thomas, 2001; Haberstroh et al, 2011; Troche et al, 2019) and one low‐quality study (Chesneau et al, 2019) delivered training in a group format, three high‐quality studies (Barnes & Markham, 2018; Klodnicka Kouri et al, 2011; Liddle et al, 2012) and one medium‐quality study (Williams et al, 2018) delivered training in an individual format and one low‐quality study (Silvestri et al, 2004) used a mix of individual and group sessions. Only one medium‐quality study (Williams et al, 2018) included the person with dementia in the training.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Strategies included simplifying communication, using yes/no questions, giving time to answer, encouraging engagement in conversation, speaking in a natural voice and using non‐verbal communication. One medium‐quality study (Done & Thomas, 2001) and one low‐quality study (Chesneau et al, 2019) additionally used videos depicting caregiver and care receiver dyads demonstrating helpful and unhelpful interactions to encourage discussion about communication between group participants. One medium‐quality study (Williams et al, 2018) used role play and observations of interactions between dyads to practice new strategies.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Communication training programmes for informal caregivers of people living with dementia: A systematic review

Perkins

Felstead

Stott

et al. 2021

Journal of Clinical Nursing

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Communication training programmes for informal caregivers of people living with dementia: A systematic review

Perkins

Felstead

Stott

et al. 2021

Journal of Clinical Nursing

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Alternatively, sharing one's daily life with a PwMND may make one more sensitive to positive changes in functioning. Moreover, carers may need communication interventions specifically designed for them (Chesneau et al., 2021).…”

Section: Well‐beingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A pilot study of AID‐COMp: An innovative speech–language intervention for patients with early‐stage major neurocognitive disorder

Chesneau

Mekary

Chayer

et al. 2022

Intl J Lang & Comm Disor

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Major neurocognitive disorder (MND) alters cognition, memory and language, and consequently affects communication. Speech–language therapy (SLT) may alleviate communication difficulties. Aims This pilot study explored the effects of intensive SLT emphasizing memory, language, and discourse impairment and complementary communication strategies, called Aid for Communication—For Persons Who Live with MND (AID‐COMp). Methods & Procedures We employed a mixed design using quantitative and qualitative methods with four dyads, including a person living with MND (PwMND) and a family carer. The design included a control period, and we tested participants before (T1) and after 2 months without therapy (T2). AID‐COMp was then provided intensively three times per week for 10 sessions and participants were tested again (T3). Participants were also involved in an individual qualitative interview after therapy ended, probing their experience and possible effects on their lives. AID‐COMp included: (1) spaced retrieval to teach the use of a memory book; (2) semantic and phonological therapy for lexical access; (3) discourse treatment based on the analysis of the macrostructure and microstructure of stories in pictures and texts; and (4) PACE therapy for generalization. Carers were not included in treatment, did not attend sessions and were only involved in the evaluations. Measures included language, communication, cognitive and well‐being tests. Paired t‐tests (one‐tailed) compared scores for the control period, that is, T1 versus T2. We compared scores after therapy (T3) with those at T2. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed qualitatively. Outcomes & Results For the control period, only text comprehension scores significantly decreased in PwMND. After therapy, improvements occurred on the Boston Naming Test (BNT), the Mini‐Mental State Exam (MMSE) and the well‐being measure for the PwMND. Carer scores were unchanged after therapy except for their perception of the PwMND's communication which improved. Qualitative findings comprised three themes: (1) understanding therapy; (2) recovering abilities and relationships; and (3) naming further needs. Conclusions & Implications We hypothesize that AID‐COMp addressed the underlying impairments associated with MND and provided various tools to PwMND for composing effectively with them. Indeed, AID‐COMp appears to provoke some degree of improvement of language skills, cognition and emotional well‐being. These improvements may lead to more confidence in conversation and the recovery of relationships between the PwMND and their entourage. It is also possible that improvements acted positively on one another. These preliminary findings warrant further controlled studies with more participants, including a qualitative exploration of participant experiences. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS What is already known on the subjectMND affects cognition and communication, which are crucial to a good relationship between a carer and a person with MND. Interventions involving only...

show abstract

The Effectiveness and Characteristics of Communication Partner Training Programs for Families of People With Dementia: A Systematic Review

Folder,

Power,

Rietdijk

et al. 2023

The Gerontologist

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background and Objectives Communication partner training (CPT) is essential in dementia care. Despite families being the largest group of community carers, previous reviews primarily focus on formal carers. This study aimed to understand the characteristics and effectiveness of CPT for families of people with dementia. Research Design and Methods The systematic review included intervention/protocol studies on dementia CPT for families, excluding formal carers and programs not focused on communication. CINAHL, PsycINFO, SpeechBITE, Medline, SCOPUS, and Embase were searched between 30 th November and 6 th December 2021. After deduplication, 3172 records were screened. Quality assessment used JBI Critical Appraisal tools and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data synthesis utilised three reporting tools, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and content analysis. Results Of 30 studies (27 programs) there were 10 quasi-experimental, five RCTs, four mixed-methods, four case studies, four qualitative, and two protocols. Studies were published between 1998-2021 and included 671 family members. Characteristics varied with 7/27 programs including consumers during creation and one program including telehealth. One study included all reporting tool criteria. Programs typically used four intervention functions, with 12/27 programs addressing three behaviour change areas. 33/74 outcome measures targeted the ‘Environment’ of the person with dementia. Studies showed positive improvements in communication skills and knowledge, with mixed results on behaviour/psychosocial outcomes. Qualitative results identified improvements in conversation and attitudes. Discussion and Implications CPT for families improves communication outcomes, however quality of studies varied significantly. Future research should address gaps in telehealth, consumer involvement, and intervention descriptions.

show abstract

Evaluation of AID-COM, a communication-focused program for family carers of people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease: A pilot study (innovative practice)

Cited by 4 publications

References 9 publications

Communication training programmes for informal caregivers of people living with dementia: A systematic review

Communication training programmes for informal caregivers of people living with dementia: A systematic review

A pilot study of AID‐COMp: An innovative speech–language intervention for patients with early‐stage major neurocognitive disorder

The Effectiveness and Characteristics of Communication Partner Training Programs for Families of People With Dementia: A Systematic Review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About