'Primary progressive aphasia (PPA)' is an umbrella term for a group of language-led dementias which leave people unable to communicate effectively with others. PPA can have a devastating impact on people's ability to function and socialise. Speech and language therapy offers a range of potential benefits to people with PPA. However, until now there has been little research asking them and their families about what help they would like from speech and language therapy.  In this podcast we chat with Chris Hardy, Anna Volkmer, Jason Warren about their research (*and that of colleagues) about their research to answer that question.

The paper is: 

‘Like going into a chocolate shop, blindfolded’: What do people with primary progressive aphasia want from speech and language therapy?

*Maria Loizidou, Emilie Brotherhood, Emma Harding, Sebastian Crutch, Jason D. Warren, Chris J.D. Hardy, Anna Volkmer

First Published: 
30 November 2022

Useful resources:

Access the paper here:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1460-6984.12818 

Further resources:

Rare dementia support
https://www.raredementiasupport.org/primary-progressive-aphasia/

A. Volkmer, J. Cartwright, L. Ruggero, A. Beales, J. Gallée, S. Grasso, M. Henry, R. Jokel, J. Kindell, R. Khayum, M. Pozzebon, E. Rochon, C. Taylor-Rubin, R. Townsend, F. Walker, S. Beeke & D. Hersh (2023) 'Principles and philosophies for speech and language therapists working with people with primary progressive aphasia: an international expert consensus' , Disability and Rehabilitation, 45:6, 1063-1078, DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2051080 
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09638288.2022.2051080?needAccess=true&role=button

Marshall, C.R., Hardy, C.J.D., Volkmer, A. et al. Primary progressive aphasia: a clinical approach. J Neurol 265, 1474–1490 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-018-8762-6
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00415-018-8762-

NOTES:
For RCSLT members, access this paper by navigating to the IJLCD website from our A-Z journals list here. Also, if you would like further information on the research terms used in the podcast, or many other aspects of research design, please navigate to the ‘Sage Research Methods’ collection from the Research Methods page of the RCSLT website’.

The interview is conducted by Jacques Strauss, freelance producer, on behalf of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.

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