Fatigue management by speech-language pathologists for adults with traumatic brain injury

Abstract

This study uses a qualitative approach to examine common techniques used by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to manage fatigue in communication intervention following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Thirteen SLPs from New Zealand hospital and rehabilitation services completed semi-structured interviews in which they discussed their current management strategies. A number of management-related themes recurred throughout the interviews, highlighting the basis of fatigue-management-focused (FMF) communication intervention. The four fatigue-related themes were: intervention structure, client and family strategies, monitoring by both the client and therapist, and lifestyle and daily activities. From these four themes, a model of current SLP practice was developed for clients with TBI. This model will provide the basis for future studies evaluating the effectiveness of FMF communication intervention.

Keywords:

• Traumatic brain injury
• fatigue
• speech language therapy
• communication
• intervention
• interview
• fatigue-management-focused

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of all participants, as without their willingness to share their knowledge this study would not be possible.