Auditory Comprehension Deficit in Aphasia: Examining the Evidence

1. Evaluating Evidence: Study Quality and Level of Evidence

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is about how clinicians make assessment and treatment decisions in collaboration with patients and care partners. Implementing EBP requires locating evidence, identifying quality evidence, and determining alignment between the evidence and a person with aphasia in a clinical setting. The evidence base reporting treatment to improve auditory comprehension in persons with aphasia is limited and variable in quality, therefore complicating the clinical decision-making process, reducing confidence in the applicability of a particular technique in a clinical environment, and potentially leading to less-than-optimal clinical outcomes. This chapter provides guidance on understanding the elements of a research report and rating evidence quality.

2. Study Quality: Identifying Elements That Contribute to a Quality Rating

Setting achievable treatment goals that address auditory comprehension deficit in persons with aphasia and selecting appropriate outcome measures are dependent on alignment of the theoretical foundation of a treatment, the needs of an individual with aphasia, and the aims of the treatment program. This chapter provides examples of identifying the theoretical foundation, the study quality, and the level of evidence of a treatment protocol to assure that it aligns with the specific auditory comprehension deficit in an individual with aphasia.

3. Mindful Clinical Decision-Making: Considering the Evidence for Auditory Comprehension Treatment

This chapter provides general information about the state of the evidence for treatments aimed at improving auditory comprehension in persons with aphasia. Through the use of the Mindful Clinical Decision-Making Checklist, this course discusses factors that must be considered in selecting and implementing a treatment protocol and creating realistic expectations in treatment aims.