Language and cognitive communication during post-traumatic amnesia: A critical synthesis.
BACKGROUND
There is minimal speech pathology literature on communication presentation during post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) and the early recovery period after traumatic brain injury. While a body of research reports on other cognitive and behavioural functions during PTA, language and/or cognitive communication are not routinely the primary focus of current research literature.


OBJECTIVE
This critical synthesis provides an overview of research to date on communication during PTA to inform speech pathology assessment practice and to assist with information provision to the multidisciplinary team and family members.


METHODS
A search was conducted of studies reporting on language, cognition, and cognitive communication during the acute, inpatient and early recovery period after TBI. These were examined for relevance to speech pathology practice during PTA and acute confusional state.


RESULTS
Historic and recent literature has described types of language and communication impairment during PTA and early recovery after TBI. Recently, aspects of communication impairment during PTA have been found relevant for outcome prediction. Few studies were found originating from speech pathology on communication during PTA.


CONCLUSIONS
Communication disruption forms a key feature of PTA. Existing literature indicates that speech pathology monitoring of communication during PTA may be of benefit as part of multidisciplinary team management during early recovery.
Speech Pathology, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.|NHMRC Clinical Centre of Research Excellence in Aphasia Rehabilitation, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Joanne
J
Steel
Speech Pathology, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.|NHMRC Clinical Centre of Research Excellence in Aphasia Rehabilitation, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Alison
A
Ferguson
Speech Pathology, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Elizabeth
E
Spencer
Speech Pathology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.|NHMRC Clinical Centre of Research Excellence in Aphasia Rehabilitation, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Leanne
L
Togher
D000647:Amnesia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003071:Cognition; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language
Post-traumatic amnesia; acute; aphasia; assessment; cognitive-communication; recovery; speech pathology; traumatic brain injury