A scoping review of PhotoVoice for people with post-stroke aphasia

ABSTRACT

Background

PhotoVoice is a qualitative research methodology designed to engage and empower marginalized members of a community and/or to understand community needs. PhotoVoice seems aphasia-friendly because it relies on personal photographs to convey opinions regarding prespecified topics. However, PhotoVoice is based on a procedure referred to as the SHOWeD method. Participants are asked to reflect upon their photos by discussing (1) what they See, (2) what is Happening, (3) the relation to Our life, (3) Why the issue or condition exists, and then to (4) explain what can be Done to address the issue(s) at hand. Due to the linguistic demand required to convey complex thoughts and ideas inherent in this methodology, adaptations are likely required to successfully implement with people who have aphasia.

Aims

A scoping review was conducted to summarize the current literature regarding the use of PhotoVoice with people who have aphasia, to address two questions:

(1) Are people with post-stroke aphasia included in PhotoVoice studies?

(2) What, if any, modifications are required to address post-stroke aphasia and motor impairments?

Main contribution

This scoping review revealed that researchers often exclude people with aphasia from post-stroke PhotoVoice research. Three studies outlined adaptations that allowed successful implementation with people who have post-stroke aphasia.

Conclusions

Further inquiry regarding how best to adapt PhotoVoice for people with aphasia will facilitate their ability to be included in community-based research. This is an important step in ensuring that all post-stroke stakeholders are involved in projects related to social justice and policy for stroke survivors.

KEYWORDS:

• Aphasia
• aphasia friendly
• PhotoVoice
• community-based participatory action research
• stroke
• qualitative assessment

Acknowledgments

Substantial portions of this manuscript were submitted by the third author in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Cincinnati (under direction of the first author). The authors appreciate Shelby Spitz’s assistance with the article search and data charting procedures —we would still be sorting manuscripts without you! A special thank you to Pilar Garza, Rachel Gleason, and Kari Dunning who constitute the rest of our Interdisciplinary Seed Grant team—thank you for joining us on this journey! We are also extremely grateful for Terri Kersey and her contributions during our brainstorming meetings when we first toyed with the idea of using PhotoVoice with people who have aphasia. You will always be remembered.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was supported, in part, by a University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences Interdisciplinary Seed Grant awarded to Dr. Aimee Dietz and Dr. Michael McCarthy.