Effect of the basic speech and language therapy guidebook for aphasia patients to improve language and speaking skills: A trial phase
Authors:   Communication Disorders, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Kalaysak Thanasak , Trevittaya Piyawat ,   Communication Disorders, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand., Chinchai Supaporn ,   Communication Disorders, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.
Published: March 2023

Background: Aphasia patients should receive intensive speech therapy in order to recover their speech and language skills for optimal results. However, there are numerous limitations. One of which is the scarcity of speech and language pathologists. Thus, this research aimed to utilize the speech and language therapy guidebook for aphasia patients which can be used by caregivers to help those with aphasia at home. This guidebook will increase the comprehension and frequency of therapy. Objectives: Firstly, to develop and study the content validity of the interview form for explicit problems and the satisfaction survey of the guidebook. Secondly, to conduct a pilot study for using the basic speech and language therapy guidebook at home. Limitations and caregivers’ suggestions from using this guidebook had been studied by the interview method. Materials and methods: This study consisted of 2 steps: The first step was the development of the interview form for explicit problems and the satisfaction survey of the guidebook. The second step was applying the guidebook with 3 aphasic clients by their caregivers for a week. Information from the first step was analyzed for content validity. The information from the second step was analyzed to explore the problems that occurred by using descriptive statistics. Results: In the first step, the Index of Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) from 5 experts for the interview form and satisfaction survey showed total scores of 0.975 and 1, respectively, revealing that the content validity was acceptable. In the second step, the information from 3 samples showed problems with a lack of understanding concerning the use of the guidebook (100%). The reflection by 2 caregivers (67%) who undertook the training as assigned found that the guidebook could help develop the speech and language skills of the samples. For the practice benefits, 3 caregivers (100%) reflected that the guidebook facilitated self-therapy and provided them and the clients with more frequent, more convenient, and easier-to-follow instructions. They were satisfied with the guidebook but offered minor suggestions, such as making the book smaller, correcting for typos, and adding more exercises. Conclusion: The guidebook yielded benefits for developing speech and language skills and provided benefits for the caregivers who help practice with the samples at home. The results of this research showed problems with using the guidebook and devised precautionary measures. The feedback will be applied to guidebook development in the future.