Logopeders direkte behandling av voksne med afasi i Norge

The purpose of this study was to provide an insight into the usage of direct treatment methods by speech language therapists in Norway. To see if the methods are experienced or evidence based, we further focussed us on how the speech language therapists acquire knowledge about treatment methods in aphasia. Additionally the study seeked answers to whether or not people with post stroke suffering from aphasia receive the treatment recommended by Helsedirektoratet (the Directorate of Health) in terms of intensity and duration. In summary: This aimed to give a picture on how the current practice on aphasia treatment in Norway is. The questionnaire used in this study was based on a Norwegian a Swedish and on a Singaporean study with similar purposes. The sample consisted of 57 participants who completed the questionnaire. The most frequently used treatment methods by the participants were Constraint-induced språkterapi (CIST) (33%) and Promoting Aphasic’s Communicative Effectiveness (PACE) (19%). The treatment materials most commonly used were Sareptas afasikrukke 1 & 2 (33%) and Newcastle University Aphasia Therapy Resources (NUMA) (25%). The study also indicated that the computer program Lexia (25%) and the App Dagligliv (23%) are well integrated in aphasia rehabilitation in Norway. When it comes to obtaining information for the treatment methods, the speech therapists reported that they get information through different sources, such as colleagues' experience, literature, courses and conferences, but most participants based their choice of treatment method on experience. On average, a person with aphasia was reported to receive around 2.5 hours of treatment per week. One treatment session lasts from 30 to 60 minutes. Furthermore, it is reported that aphasia treatment usually lasts for more than 15 weeks, but there are major individual differences. The study indicated that the speech and language pathologist gave more intensive treatment in the acute phase, and less intensive in the chronic phase of aphasia. In conclusion: This study provide an insight into direct treatment methods and materials used by speech language therapists in Norway. However, the treatment materials that are most used in Norway are not well researched, which points out the need of further research on the field. By focusing on how the speech and language pathologist gather information about the treatment methods, this study has further focused focus on EBP as a phenomenon in the field of logopedic practice. Finally, the results of intensity of treatment support the idea that intensity is a decisive factor in the effectiveness of treatment