Barriers and Facilitators to Conversation: A Qualitative Exploration of the Experiences of People with Parkinson’s and Their Close Communication Partners
Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Brain Sciences
Abstract
Conversations are an important part of our daily lives, enabling us to interact with others
and participate in a range of activities. For people with Parkinson’s, conversation can be challenging
when communication is impacted. This qualitative exploratory study investigated the experiences
of people with Parkinson’s and their close communication partners in conversations. The study
explored influences on conversational participation, considering perceived barriers and facilitators
to participation in conversation for people with Parkinson’s. Interviews were conducted with
eight dyads, with participants interviewed both jointly and separately (24 interviews). Five themes
revealed that conversation appears to be influenced not only by the communication skills of the
person with Parkinson’s, but also by factors associated with the communication partner, the complex
nature of conversations, the communication environment, and the impact of experience in shaping
participation in conversation. Specific barriers and facilitators to conversational participation were
identified. This study offers important insight into the lived experience of people with Parkinson’s
affected by communication difficulties. The findings support the notion that it is more than simply
the communication skills of the person with Parkinson’s that influence conversations. It is important
that other factors influencing conversational success should be included in interventions supporting
communication for people with Parkinson’s.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Parkinson’s disease, communication, intervention, lived experience, communication partner
Citation
Citation: Wylie, K.; Carrier, H.M.; Loftus, A.M.; Thilakaratne, R.; Cocks, N. Barriers and Facilitators to Conversation: A Qualitative Exploration of the Experiences of People with Parkinson’s and Their Close Communication Partners. Brain Sci. 2022, 12, 944. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/brainsci12070944