Communication partner training

5.23 Aphasia rehabilitation should include communication partner training.

References: Cameron et al., 2019: RCT; Finch et al., 2020: Qualitative study; Heard et al., 2017: Parallel randomised trial; Power et al., 2020: RCT; Simmons-Mackie et al., 2010: Systematic review of 31 studies (11 group designs, 8 case studies, 7 SCED, 5 qualitative studies); Simmons-Mackie et al., 2016: Systematic review of 25 studies (11 group design, 11 case studies, 2 qualitative studies, 1 SCED)

NHMRC Level of Evidence: I 

Rationale: Communication partner training can improve the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of communication partners of people with aphasia, especially in the chronic recovery phase.

For some communication partners, CPT can result in (Simmons-Mackie et al., 2010; Simmons-Mackie et al., 2016):

●    increased communication partner knowledge of aphasia,
●    increased use of effective communication strategies,
●    decreased use of non-supportive strategies,
●    increased ability to obtain accurate information,
●    increased ability to establish rapport, and
●    increased self-confidence and positivity towards communication.

Research has confirmed the CPT outcomes for unfamiliar partners are similar across varied modes of delivery including face-to-face, tele-delivery or online training formats (Cameron et al., 2019, Finch et al., 2020; Heard et al., 2017; Power et al., 2020). 

For people with aphasia, CPT can result in positive changes in communication activity and participation such as increased content words and sentences, increased ratings of the quality of communication transaction and communication strategy use, as well as increased self-confidence in communication situations (Simmons‐Mackie et al., 2010; Simmons-Mackie et al., 2016). 

References:

1. Cameron, A., McPhail, S., Hudson, K., Fleming, J., Lethlean, J., & Finch, E. (2019). Telepractice communication partner training for health professionals: A randomised trial. Journal of Communication Disorders, 81, 105914–105914. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2019.105914 
2. Finch, E., Lethlean, J., Rose, T., Fleming, J., Theodoros, D., Cameron, A., Coleman, A., Copland, D., & McPhail, S. M. (2020). Conversations between people with aphasia and speech pathology students via telepractice: A Phase II feasibility study. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 55(1), 43–58. https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12501
3. Heard, R., O'Halloran, R., & McKinley, K. (2017). Communication partner training for health care professionals in an inpatient rehabilitation setting: A parallel randomised trial. International Journal of Speech Language Pathology, 19(3), 277–286. https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2017.1290137
4. Simmons-Mackie, N., Raymer, A., Armstrong, E., Holland, A., & Cherney, L., R. (2010). Communication partner training in aphasia: a systematic review. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 91(12), 1814- 1837.
5. Simmons-Mackie, N., Raymer, A., & Cherney, L.R. (2016). Communication partner training in aphasia: An updated systematic review. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 97(2), 2202-2221. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2016.03.023