A systematic review of the positive outcomes for family members of people with aphasia

Abstract

Purpose: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to determine the positive effects of aphasia, the communication disorder, on family members with findings categorized according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Method: The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched for peer-reviewed studies reporting on the positive outcomes of aphasia on family members. Relevant findings were extracted from studies that met the inclusion criteria and then categorized according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Results: Though no studies have specifically aimed to examine the positive effects of aphasia on family members, it was possible to extract positive outcomes from studies that describe the overall impact of aphasia on family members. The results showed that family members of people with aphasia experience positive outcomes that can be linked to the Body Functions and Activities and Participation components of the ICF. Results are discussed in the context of the ICF and the influence of positive factors on the development of third-party disability. Conclusion: While this review reveals some of the ways in which family members of people with aphasia can experience positive changes to their lives, it also highlights the need for further investigation in this area.

Source of funding: No source of funding reported.

Keywords:

• ICF
• Stroke
• Informal caregivers
• Third-party disability
• Third-party functioning

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Jacek Pakulski for his technical support and to Felicity Bright for her insight into hope.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.