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Research Poster Presentation Design

Study Overview

  • Objective: To understand how an adult’s perception of their own aphasia affects their ability to engage in social activities and relationships.

  • Background Research: Adults with aphasia often experience isolation, leading to mental health issues, such as depression, and physical health complications.

  • Hypothesis: If an adult with aphasia sees that others share their experiences, then they will feel less isolated and have a sense of belonging.

Learning Objectives

  1. Cognitive Impairment: Significant cognitive impairment as determined by a speech-language pathologist.

  2. Language Impairment: Severely impaired receptive language.

  3. Language Expression: Severely impaired expressive language.

Participants

  • Inclusion Criteria: Participants had to have a diagnosis of aphasia from a speech-language pathologist.

  • Exclusion Criteria: Individuals were excluded if they experienced motor and/or reading difficulties unless assisted by a caretaker, family member, or friend.

  • Sample Details: 15 adult participants were surveyed, categorized by age and gender:

    • Ages 18-24: 1

    • Ages 25-34: 1

    • Ages 35-44: 3

    • Ages 45-54: 3

    • Ages 55-64: 5

    • Ages 65+: 2

    • Gender Breakdown: 6 female and 9 male.

Materials and Methods

  • Survey Format: A digital format survey accessed via iPads through Google Forms.

  • Recruitment: Participants recruited from the Brain Rehabilitation and Injury Network (BRAIN) and Biola Speech and Language Clinic.

  • Procedure:

    • Email to SLPs at BRAIN detailing the survey study.

    • Scheduled times to administer surveys during various group meetings.

    • Follow-up emails sent to interested clients from Biola Speech and Language Clinic.

    • Provided mental health resources after the survey due to potential risks.

Limitations

  • Sample Size: Small sample size may not represent the broader aphasia population.

  • Participant Abilities: Variability in motor ability to answer questions.

  • Hawthorne Effect: Potential influence of being studied on participant responses.

  • Convenience Sample: Limited generalizability due to convenience sampling method.

Results

  • Perception of Symptoms: Participants rated their symptoms as:

    • Mild: 20%

    • Moderate: 73.3%

    • Severe: 6.7%.

  • Activity Engagement: Pre- and post-morbid activity enjoyment:

    • Land-based activities: 73.3%

    • Water-based activities: 66.7%

    • Air activities: 13.3%

  • Social Engagement Survey Statements: Results from Likert scale responses:

    • Loss of Contact with Friends/Family: 26.7% agreed, 33.3% strongly agreed.

    • Inability to Engage in Conversations: 53.3% agreed, 13.3% strongly agreed.

    • Participation in Social Groups: 33.3% agreed, 46.7% strongly agreed.

    • Feeling Hopeful for the Future: 40% agreed, 46.7% strongly agreed.

    • Open to New Social Events: 60% positive responses among participants.

    • Ability to Participate in Previous Activities: Varied responses with 35.7% agreeing on physical activities.

    • Continuing Social Activities: Only 33.3% agreed or strongly agreed.

Discussion

  • Findings Implications: Participants indicated that their perception of aphasia significantly affects their social relationships and activities.

  • Future Research Directions: Requires investigation into experiences of adults with aphasia who do not participate in therapy/support groups compared to those who do.

Conclusion

  • Study Findings: Investigated the relationship between adults' perception of aphasia and social activity engagement.

  • Noteworthy Trends:

    • 53.4% of participants continued relaxing activities from before their CVA.

    • 42.8% continued similar physical activities.

    • Only 33.3% felt they could engage in the same social activities.

    • 60% detailed lost contact due to aphasia, while 66.6% felt they could not engage in conversations because of it.

    • 80% engaged in social groups, and 86.7% expressed hope for the future.