Speak Out Feb 2017

Association news

2016 research grants: Funded projects

school into consideration through the use of repeated measures analysis of covariance. Practices utilised to support students with language disorder will also be investigated to consider their effectiveness within a real-world setting. Higher degree by research Voice therapy for muscle tension voice disorders: Contents and processes Clare Eastwood, NSW Voice therapy is recommended for the treatment of muscle tension voice disorders (MTVD), a group of voice disorders resulting from laryngeal dysfunction. While voice therapy is associated with positive outcomes, research has primarily focused on examining whether or not therapy works rather than describing and defining the actual content and processes of voice therapy. Consequently, little is known about what voice therapy consists of or which components are responsible for positive therapeutic change. This research will explore the complexities of voice therapy by unpacking the content and interactions that occur between speech pathologists and their clients with MTVD. It will involve collection of observational and interview data. Therapy sessions will be video recorded. Sessions will be analysed using a range of published tools. Individual semi-structured interviews will be conducted between clinicians and a researcher. These interviews will be audio recorded and relate directly to the video recorded therapy sessions. Interview data will be transcribed and analysed using qualitative methods of analysis including grounded theory. Technology-enabled self-management in chronic aphasia: When, how and what works Leana O’Byrne, Queensland Empowering people with aphasia to self-manage the life-changing impact of chronic communication difficulties may open new doorways for recovery and living successfully with aphasia. Currently, little is known about the views of people with aphasia, their communication partners and speech pathologists about self- management in aphasia. Furthermore, the potential of technology in enabling self-management is also not well understood. This project encompasses two studies which will use semi- structured interviews to explore the perceptions and experiences of key stakeholders to inform the development of a modular, technology-enabled self-management pathway for individuals with aphasia. Key stakeholders are individuals with aphasia and their communication partners (Study 1), as well as speech-language pathologists (Study 2). The second study will employ mixed methods, incorporating a national survey following the interviews.

Each year, SPA awards funding for selected research projects in three categories – clinician, higher degree by research and entry level. The applications cover a wide range of topic areas, and use varying research designs. The funded projects in the 2016 clinician and higher degree by research categories are briefly described below. Details of the successful projects in these categories, together with the successful entry-level projects will be provided in a future issue of Speak Out . SPA also manages research grants in the Nadia Verrall and Queensland Review Board Legacy categories. Clinician Patients’ perspectives on what makes a better care experience when undergoing treatment for oropharyngeal dysphagia secondary to head and neck cancer Katherine Lethbridge, Victoria Current research states that head and neck cancer has a major impact on quality of life yet there is a paucity of patient-generated information that can guide clinicians to provide services that improve the quality of life. Ensuring patients have the best possible experience in their care is essential. This qualitative study will investigate patient-generated solutions on how best to provide care to patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia associated with head and neck cancer. In-depth interviews will be used to collect data from patients with head and neck cancer at the end of their treatment, providing a retrospective insight into their care. Interviews will focus on their patient experience, what worked well, and what they would improve or change. Although data will be collected only at Epworth Healthcare, the results will be disseminated and therefore provide information for all head and neck cancer care providers to establish better care practices. Improving our understanding of response to school-based intervention for primary and high school students with language disorders attending a specialist school Shaun Ziegenfusz, Queensland The importance of language and literacy intervention for students with language disorders has been well established. However, there is surprisingly little empirical evidence to guide our clinical practice. The current project involves a specialist school that caters specifically for students with language disorder. The objectives of this study are: a) to evaluate the educational and therapeutic outcomes of a multidisciplinary school-based program for 85 students with language disorder from prep to year 12, after one year of intervention; b) to determine which student characteristics (e.g., receptive / expressive language, motor, cognition, adaptive behaviour) may be related to progress. All students routinely complete a battery of assessments on intake with follow-up assessments throughout the school year. Parental permission will be sought to include their child’s de-identified assessment data. The project will measure progress over one school year, taking the characteristics of students attending the

Cori Williams Senior Advisor Evidence Based Practice and Research

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February 2017 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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