Teleintervention for users of augmentative and alternative communication devices: A systematic review.

This study looked at whether speech therapy delivered through video calls can help people learn to use communication devices (AAC). Researchers reviewed 6 studies with 25 participants who had various conditions including autism and Down syndrome. All studies showed that people improved their ability to use communication devices when receiving therapy via video calls. Both families and therapists were very satisfied with this approach.

Video-based speech therapy appears promising for teaching communication device skills.

This systematic review examined the effectiveness of speech-language teleinterventions delivered via videoconferencing for users of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. Six studies including 25 participants with various conditions (Down syndrome, autism, Rett syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) met inclusion criteria. Most studies used single-case experimental designs. Interventions included active consultation, functional communication training, brain-computer interface, and hybrid approaches.

All interventions showed increased independent AAC device use during training sessions compared to baseline. High satisfaction and treatment acceptability were reported by both service providers and recipients. The review suggests telehealth AAC interventions show promise as an effective service delivery method, though larger studies with robust methodology are needed for generalization.

Telehealth AAC interventions show promise for increasing access to specialized communication services, particularly beneficial for families in remote areas or with transport barriers. High satisfaction rates suggest good acceptability. However, larger rigorous studies needed before widespread implementation. Current evidence supports pilot programs and further research development.

Very small sample size (25 participants across 6 studies). Most studies used single-case designs with limited generalizability. No randomized controlled trials included. Heterogeneous participant conditions and intervention types make synthesis challenging. Authors explicitly call for larger studies with more robust methodology.

To synthesize existing evidence on the effectiveness of speech-language teleinterventions delivered via videoconferencing to users of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. A systematic literature search was conducted in 10 electronic databases, from inception until August 2021. Included were speech-language teleinterventions delivered by researchers and/or clinicians via videoconferencing to users of AAC devices, without restrictions on chronological age and clinical diagnosis. The quality of the studies included in the review was appraised using the Downs and Black checklist and the Single-Case Experimental Design Scale; risk of bias was assessed using the Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies - of Interventions and the single-case design risk of bias tools.

Six teleinterventions including 25 participants with a variety of conditions, such as Down syndrome, autism, Rett syndrome, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis met the inclusion criteria. Five studies used a single-case experimental design and one was a cohort study. Teleinterventions included active consultation (n = 2), functional communication training (n = 2), brain-computer interface (n = 1), and both teleintervention and in-person intervention (n = 1). All teleinterventions reported an increase in participants' independent use of AAC devices during the training sessions compared to baseline, as well as an overall high satisfaction and treatment acceptability.

Speech-language teleinterventions for users of AAC devices show great potential for a successful method of service delivery. Future telehealth studies with larger sample sizes and more robust methodology are strongly encouraged to allow the generalization of results across different populations. Individuals can learn to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices independently during tele-AAC interventions. Service providers and recipients reported an overall high satisfaction and acceptability for AAC services delivered via teleinterventions.

Speech-language teleinterventions may be an effective method of providing AAC intervention services.