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Communication behaviors associated with successful conversation in semantic variant primary progressive aphasia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 June 2017

Cathleen Taylor-Rubin Open the ORCID record for Cathleen Taylor-Rubin [Opens in a new window] ,
Karen Croot ,
Emma Power ,
Sharon A. Savage ,
John R. Hodges  and
Leanne Togher
Cathleen Taylor-Rubin*
Affiliation:
Cognitive Sciences, Faculty of Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia Speech Pathology Department, War Memorial Hospital, Waverley, Australia NHMRC Clinical Centre of Research Excellence in Aphasia Rehabilitation, Sydney, Australia
Karen Croot
Affiliation:
NHMRC Clinical Centre of Research Excellence in Aphasia Rehabilitation, Sydney, Australia School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Emma Power
Affiliation:
NHMRC Clinical Centre of Research Excellence in Aphasia Rehabilitation, Sydney, Australia Speech Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Sharon A. Savage
Affiliation:
The University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
John R. Hodges
Affiliation:
Neuroscience Research Australia & School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia
Leanne Togher
Affiliation:
NHMRC Clinical Centre of Research Excellence in Aphasia Rehabilitation, Sydney, Australia Speech Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Cathleen Taylor-Rubin, Speech Pathology Department, War Memorial Hospital, 125 Birrell Street, Waverley, Australia. Phone: +61 418750657. Email: Cathleen.taylor@health.nsw.gov.au.
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Abstract

Background:

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) affects a range of language and cognitive domains that impact on conversation. Little is known about conversation breakdown in the semantic variant of PPA (svPPA, also known as semantic dementia). This study investigates conversation of people with svPPA.

Methods:

Dyadic conversations about everyday activities between seven individuals with svPPA and their partners, and seven control pairs were video recorded and transcribed. Number of words, turns, and length of turns were measured. Trouble-indicating behaviors (TIBs) and repair behaviors were categorized and identified as successful or not for each participant in each dyad.

Results:

In general, individuals with svPPA were active participants in conversation, taking an equal proportion of turns, but indicating a great deal of more trouble in conversation, shown by the significantly higher number of TIBs than evidenced by partners or control participants. TIBs were interactive (asking for confirmation with a shorter repetition of the original utterance or a repetition which included a request for specific information) and non-interactive (such as failing to take up or continue the topic or a minimal response) and unlike those previously reported for people with other PPA variants and dementia of the Alzheimer type. Communication behaviors of the partner were critical to conversational success.

Conclusions:

Examination of trouble and repair in 10-min conversations of individuals with svPPA and their important communication partners has potential to inform speech pathology interventions to enhance successful conversation, in svPPA and should be an integral part of the comprehensive care plan.

Keywords

aphasiadementiaspeech pathology
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 29 , Issue 10 , October 2017 , pp. 1619 - 1632
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2017 

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