UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

A survey of speech–language therapy provision for people with post‐stroke dysarthria in the UK

Miller, N; Bloch, SJ; (2017) A survey of speech–language therapy provision for people with post‐stroke dysarthria in the UK. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders , 52 (6) pp. 800-815. 10.1111/1460-6984.12316. Green open access

[thumbnail of Bloch_post stroke dysarthria survey main text and appendix TLCD 2016-0166 R1.pdf]
Preview
Text
Bloch_post stroke dysarthria survey main text and appendix TLCD 2016-0166 R1.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (482kB) | Preview

Abstract

Background: A large number of people who experience a stroke are affected by dysarthria. This may be in isolation or in association with aphasia and/or dysphagia. Despite evidence highlighting the psychological and social impact of having post-stroke dysarthria and a number of clinical guidelines that make recommendations for appropriate management, little is known currently about United Kingdom (UK) service delivery issues relating to speech and language therapy (SLT) assessment and treatment for this group. Such evidence is necessary in order to plan, develop and research services for people with post-stroke dysarthria. / Methods: SLTs in the UK were asked to complete an online survey addressing referral patterns, caseload profiles, and their assessment and intervention methods for post-stroke dysarthria. In the absence of a national register of clinicians working with people with acquired dysarthria, a snowballing method was used to facilitate participant recruitment. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics. / Results: 146 SLTs responded. The majority were employed by the National Health Service (NHS). Most patients were referred within a week post stroke. Almost half of respondents did not regularly use formal assessments and the use of instrumentation was rare, including the use of video recording. The focus of therapy for mild, moderate and severe dysarthria did not differ significantly for clinicians. A little under half of respondents endorsed nonverbal oral exercises in rehabilitation. The survey demonstrated some appreciation of the centrality of regular intensive practice to effect change, but this was in a minority. / Conclusions: Through this research it became clear that basic information regarding post-stroke dysarthria incidence, prevalence and core demographics is currently unavailable. More embedded NHS SLT reporting systems would make a significant contribution to this area. A more in-depth examination is required of the natural history of dysarthria over the months and years following stroke, of SLT practices in relation to post-stroke dysarthria, with investigations to more fully understand the choices SLTs make and how this relates to available evidence to support their clinical decision making.

Type: Article
Title: A survey of speech–language therapy provision for people with post‐stroke dysarthria in the UK
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.12316
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12316
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Dysarthria, stroke, speech-language therapy, management, service delivery
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences > Language and Cognition
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1536131
Downloads since deposit
1,374Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item