Ahlberg E, Laakso K, Hartelius…Perceived Changes in Communication as an Effect of STN Surgery in Parkinson's Disease: A Qualitative Interview Study, Parkinsons Dis. 2011;2011:540158. Epub 2011 Aug 14.
DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) patients voiced their concerns about the perceived changes in their communication as a result of DBS surgery. The aim of this study was to explore four individuals' perspective of the way their speech and communication changed as a result of Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS-STN) treatment for Parkinson's disease
All four of the individuals thought that DBS-STN improved their quality of life overall and that it was their only treatment option for improvement at this time. All four of the study participants had improvements in motor symptoms (increased mobility and reduced tremor) with DBS-STN. However, all four experienced negative speech and communication side effects .
Three themes emerged in the study:
1. Increased and unexpected communication difficulties
Weak and monotonous voice
Vulnerable speech function affects intelligibility
Stuttering
Difficulty reading and writing
Changed auditory feedback
Mental fatigue
Freezing of the mind
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2. Strategies to improve communication
Speech techniques
Communicative partners' support
Changing medical and stimulation parameters
3. Mixed feelings surrounding the surgery
An unavoidable, drastic decision
Improved quality of life
Uncertainty and lack of information
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A Link to the Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21876840 A Link to the Full Text: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3159130/?tool=pubmed A Link to a Summary of the Study Prepared by DBS-STN.ORG: http://www.dbs-stn.org/research-details.php?ID=125 |
certainly enjoyed the way you explore your experience and knowledge of the subject!Keep
Posted by: literacy4investment | May 31, 2012 at 04:35 AM
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