Communication partner training in aphasia: An updated systematic review

Publication date: Available online 23 April 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Nina Simmons-Mackie, Anastasia Raymer, Leora R. Cherney
ObjectivesThis systematic review updates an earlier review¹ describing the impact of communication partner training on individuals with aphasia and their communication partners. Three clinical questions addressing effects of partner training on language, communication and participation, psychosocial adjustment, and quality of life for adults with aphasia and their communication partners were addressed.Data SourcesTwelve electronic databases were searched using 23 search terms. References from relevant articles were hand-searched.Study SelectionThree reviewers independently reviewed abstracts excluding those that failed to meet inclusion criteria. Thirty-two full text articles were reviewed by 2 independent reviewers. Articles not meeting inclusion criteria were eliminated resulting in a corpus of 25 articles for full review.Data ExtractionFor the 25 articles, one reviewer extracted descriptive data regarding participants, intervention, outcome measures and results. A second reviewer verified the accuracy of the extracted data.Data SynthesisThe 3-member review team classified studies using the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) levels of evidence². Two independent reviewers evaluated each article using design specific tools to assess research quality.ConclusionsAll 25 of the current review articles reported positive changes from partner training. Therefore, to date, 56 studies across two systematic reviews have reported positive outcomes from communication partner training in aphasia. The results of the current review are consistent with the earlier review¹ and necessitate no change to the earlier recommendations, suggesting that communication partner training should be conducted to improve partner skill in facilitating the communication of people with chronic aphasia. Additional high quality research is needed to strengthen the original 2010 recommendations and expand recommendations to individuals with acute aphasia. High quality clinical trials are also needed to demonstrate implementation of CPT in complex environments such as health care.



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