Speech and language interventions for stroke-induced aphasia

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the use of video recordings of interactions involving persons with aphasia and speech-language pathology students enhance students’ competence as conversation partners of people with communicative disabilities. A further aim was to explore the experiences and perspectives from the viewpoint of both participating students and persons with aphasia. Six persons with aphasia met 34 speech and language pathology students in pairs for 10 minutes of conversation. The video recordings were transcribed, in order to identify phenomena influencing the interaction. The students answered a questionnaire about the assignment. A semi-structured group interview with the aphasic individuals was conducted. The analyses of the conversations and the answers to the questionnaire revealed that the students gained important knowledge both on how aphasia may affect and limit aphasic individuals’ communicative activity and participation, and hands-on insights into how different interactional strategies may enhance aphasic individuals’ possibilities in interaction, but also highlighting behaviors that may be less beneficial. The persons with aphasia perceived the activity as important and rewarding. The results demonstrate the benefits of involving patients in health education and the students’ use of video recordings, transcriptions, and subsequent analysis.