Communication Benefits of Speech and Language Therapy Intervention for People with Aphasia in the Greater Accra Region

Abstract

Background: The ability to understand and use language in any modality is lost in people with aphasia (PWA), an acquired communication disorder. According to research, speech and language therapy intervention is the most effective way for helping people with aphasia regain their ability to communicate on a functional level. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the discernible effects, if any, of speech and language therapy (SLT) on the functional communication abilities of people with aphasia in the Greater Accra region. Additionally, this investigation aims to elucidate the interventions employed by speech therapists in their pursuit of enhancing communicative competence among this population.Background: The ability to understand and use language in any modality is lost in people with aphasia (PWA), an acquired communication disorder. According to research, speech and language therapy intervention is the most effective way for helping people with aphasia regain their ability to communicate on a functional level. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the discernible effects, if any, of speech and language therapy (SLT) on the functional communication abilities of people with aphasia in the Greater Accra region. Additionally, this investigation aims to elucidate the interventions employed by speech therapists in their pursuit of enhancing communicative competence among this population. Methods: The study employed a qualitative design method. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select seven PWAs together with their caregivers and five speech and language therapists. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect the data. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed with thematic analysis. Results: The study revealed that the PWAs and their families perceived speech and language therapy interventions to be beneficial to the PWA’s communication ability as well as their quality of life. Speech and language therapists use a combination of impairment and consequence-based interventions to improve the communication skills of their clients so as to improve their social participation. Conclusion: SLTs can use this data as locally relevant, evidence-based resource materials to help promote and increase the patronage of Speech therapy services. This study can be used as a pilot study to develop a rating scale for evaluating the effectiveness of speech therapy interventions that are normed on the Ghanaian population and to develop intervention strategies that are tailored to the Ghanaian population.