An International Survey of Assessment Practices for Short-Term and Working Memory Deficits in Aphasia. 2018

Christos Salis, and Laura Murray, and Katrina Bakas
Speech & Language Sciences, Newcastle University, King George VI Building, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.

Recent research has highlighted the clinical relevance of understanding the nature of short-term memory (STM) and working memory (WM) deficits in persons with aphasia and the way these deficits affect linguistic processing and functional communication in activities of daily living. The psychometric properties of tests commonly used to identify STM/WM problems in individuals with aphasia, however, have been questioned. No previous study has sought to investigate assessment practices and attitudes by speech-language pathologists involved in aphasia management. Accordingly, the aims of this study were (a) to investigate both attitudes toward STM/WM assessment in individuals with aphasia, as well as the types and frequency of STM/WM tests used with individuals with aphasia, and (b) to explore factors (e.g., educational background) that may influence STM/WM assessment practices. Respondents recruited via professional and aphasia support organizations completed an online survey. The survey elicited information about the respondents' demographic and clinical backgrounds and STM/WM assessment clinical practices and views, including frequency and preferred use of specific STM/WM tests. The majority of respondents reported regular use of STM/WM tests as part of aphasia management. Positive attitudes toward STM/WM assessments were also reported. The most popular rankings of tests were the Cognitive Linguistic Quick Test (Helm-Estabrooks, 2001), the Comprehensive Aphasia Test (Swinburn, Porter, & Howard, 2005), and the Token Test (McNeil & Prescott, 1978). Results suggested limited knowledge about measures that assess self-perceptions of functional memory abilities. Regression analyses showed that the frequency of reported STM/WM test use was similar between clinicians and dual-role researchers/clinicians, but their attitudes toward the value of STM/WM differed. U.S. and UK respondents reported similar assessment practices. It is reassuring that STM/WM is taken into consideration by clinicians when providing aphasia management. Two of the most popular tests, however, have poor psychometric properties, and caution should be exercised in clinical decision making. The different value placed on STM/WM testing by clinicians and researchers/clinicians has implications for continuing professional development.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008569 Memory Disorders Disturbances in registering an impression, in the retention of an acquired impression, or in the recall of an impression. Memory impairments are associated with DEMENTIA; CRANIOCEREBRAL TRAUMA; ENCEPHALITIS; ALCOHOLISM (see also ALCOHOL AMNESTIC DISORDER); SCHIZOPHRENIA; and other conditions. Memory Loss,Age-Related Memory Disorders,Memory Deficits,Memory Disorder, Semantic,Memory Disorder, Spatial,Memory Disorders, Age-Related,Retention Disorders, Cognitive,Semantic Memory Disorder,Spatial Memory Disorder,Age Related Memory Disorders,Age-Related Memory Disorder,Cognitive Retention Disorder,Cognitive Retention Disorders,Deficit, Memory,Deficits, Memory,Memory Deficit,Memory Disorder,Memory Disorder, Age-Related,Memory Disorders, Age Related,Memory Disorders, Semantic,Memory Disorders, Spatial,Memory Losses,Retention Disorder, Cognitive,Semantic Memory Disorders,Spatial Memory Disorders
D008570 Memory, Short-Term Remembrance of information for a few seconds to hours. Immediate Recall,Memory, Immediate,Working Memory,Memory, Shortterm,Immediate Memories,Immediate Memory,Immediate Recalls,Memories, Immediate,Memories, Short-Term,Memories, Shortterm,Memory, Short Term,Recall, Immediate,Recalls, Immediate,Short-Term Memories,Short-Term Memory,Shortterm Memories,Shortterm Memory,Working Memories
D009483 Neuropsychological Tests Tests designed to assess neurological function associated with certain behaviors. They are used in diagnosing brain dysfunction or damage and central nervous system disorders or injury. Aphasia Tests,Cognitive Test,Cognitive Testing,Cognitive Tests,Memory for Designs Test,Neuropsychological Testing,AX-CPT,Behavioral Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome,CANTAB,Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery,Clock Test,Cognitive Function Scanner,Continuous Performance Task,Controlled Oral Word Association Test,Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System,Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment,Hooper Visual Organization Test,NEPSY,Neuropsychologic Tests,Neuropsychological Test,Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test,Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status,Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure,Symbol Digit Modalities Test,Test of Everyday Attention,Test, Neuropsychological,Tests, Neuropsychological,Tower of London Test,Neuropsychologic Test,Test, Cognitive,Testing, Cognitive,Testing, Neuropsychological,Tests, Cognitive
D011237 Predictive Value of Tests In screening and diagnostic tests, the probability that a person with a positive test is a true positive (i.e., has the disease), is referred to as the predictive value of a positive test; whereas, the predictive value of a negative test is the probability that the person with a negative test does not have the disease. Predictive value is related to the sensitivity and specificity of the test. Negative Predictive Value,Positive Predictive Value,Predictive Value Of Test,Predictive Values Of Tests,Negative Predictive Values,Positive Predictive Values,Predictive Value, Negative,Predictive Value, Positive
D011594 Psychometrics Assessment of psychological variables by the application of mathematical procedures. Psychometric
D003071 Cognition Intellectual or mental process whereby an organism obtains knowledge. Cognitive Function,Cognitions,Cognitive Functions,Function, Cognitive,Functions, Cognitive
D003142 Communication The exchange or transmission of ideas, attitudes, or beliefs between individuals or groups. Miscommunication,Misinformation,Social Communication,Communication Programs,Communications Personnel,Personal Communication,Communication Program,Communication, Personal,Communication, Social,Communications, Social,Miscommunications,Misinformations,Personnel, Communications,Program, Communication,Programs, Communication,Social Communications
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000066491 Clinical Decision-Making Process of formulating a diagnosis based on medical history and physical or mental examinations, and/or choosing an appropriate intervention. Medical Decision-Making,Clinical Decision Making,Decision-Making, Clinical,Decision-Making, Medical,Medical Decision Making
D001037 Aphasia A cognitive disorder marked by an impaired ability to comprehend or express language in its written or spoken form. This condition is caused by diseases which affect the language areas of the dominant hemisphere. Clinical features are used to classify the various subtypes of this condition. General categories include receptive, expressive, and mixed forms of aphasia. Aphasia, Acquired,Dysphasia,Word Deafness,Alogia,Anepia,Aphasia, Ageusic,Aphasia, Auditory Discriminatory,Aphasia, Commisural,Aphasia, Functional,Aphasia, Global,Aphasia, Graphomotor,Aphasia, Intellectual,Aphasia, Mixed,Aphasia, Post-Ictal,Aphasia, Post-Traumatic,Aphasia, Progressive,Aphasia, Semantic,Aphasia, Syntactical,Dejerine-Lichtheim Phenomenon,Dysphasia, Global,Lichtheim's Sign,Logagnosia,Logamnesia,Logasthenia,Acquired Aphasia,Ageusic Aphasia,Ageusic Aphasias,Alogias,Anepias,Aphasia, Post Ictal,Aphasia, Post Traumatic,Aphasias, Commisural,Auditory Discriminatory Aphasia,Auditory Discriminatory Aphasias,Commisural Aphasia,Commisural Aphasias,Deafness, Word,Dejerine Lichtheim Phenomenon,Discriminatory Aphasia, Auditory,Discriminatory Aphasias, Auditory,Functional Aphasia,Functional Aphasias,Global Aphasia,Global Aphasias,Global Dysphasia,Global Dysphasias,Graphomotor Aphasia,Graphomotor Aphasias,Intellectual Aphasia,Intellectual Aphasias,Lichtheim Sign,Lichtheims Sign,Logagnosias,Logamnesias,Logasthenias,Mixed Aphasia,Mixed Aphasias,Phenomenon, Dejerine-Lichtheim,Post-Ictal Aphasia,Post-Ictal Aphasias,Post-Traumatic Aphasia,Post-Traumatic Aphasias,Progressive Aphasia,Progressive Aphasias,Semantic Aphasia,Semantic Aphasias,Sign, Lichtheim's,Syntactical Aphasia,Syntactical Aphasias

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