TITLE:
Concussion Practice Patterns among Speech-Language Pathologists
AUTHORS:
Mary Ann Williams-Butler, Robert C. Cantu
KEYWORDS:
Concussion, Post-Concussive Syndrome, Cognitive-Communication, Traumatic Brain Injury, Symptoms
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.11 No.7,
July
11,
2019
ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To identify current SLP practice patterns in concussion care, clarify definitions of common cognitive retraining terminology, and establish areas of growth in clinical practice and research. METHOD: An online 10 question survey to collect data on assessment and practice components. Total 79 respondents from ASHA Special Interest Group 2 Neurogenic Communication Disorders website participated. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Patient education and symptom management were regular components of cognitive retraining with concussion. Smaller percentage included cognitive endurance building. Further analysis identified variation in how clinicians defined terms: patient education, symptom management, and cognitive endurance building. Discrepancies noted with diagnostic tools, with one quarter using screening tools as primary assessment. CONCLUSION: Strong knowledge base to support differential diagnosis and therapeutic plan is critical to optimize outcomes in concussion care. Consistency with terminology use can reduce the risk of confusion but also support the value of what SLPs contribute to an interdisciplinary concussion team.