Fatigue management by speech-language pathologists for adults with traumatic brain injury.
This study uses a qualitative approach to examine common techniques used by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to manage fatigue in communication intervention following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Thirteen SLPs from New Zealand hospital and rehabilitation services completed semi-structured interviews in which they discussed their current management strategies. A number of management-related themes recurred throughout the interviews, highlighting the basis of fatigue-management-focused (FMF) communication intervention. The four fatigue-related themes were: intervention structure, client and family strategies, monitoring by both the client and therapist, and lifestyle and daily activities. From these four themes, a model of current SLP practice was developed for clients with TBI. This model will provide the basis for future studies evaluating the effectiveness of FMF communication intervention.
Hicks
Emma J
EJ
Department of Psychology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Larkins
Brigette M
BM
Purdy
Suzanne C
SC
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data