One functional factor commonly affected by neurodegenerative diseases is communication. Many people with neurodegenerative disease experience a progressive motor speech disorder: dysarthria. It is known that communication is essential for full social participation but there is limited evidence on the role it plays in quality of life (QoL). The aim of this thesis is to explore the QoL of Saudi Arabian individuals with progressive dysarthria associated with neurodegenerative disease. The thesis includes the development of new intelligibility and functional communication measures for use with an Arabic speaking population. It also explores the relationship between QoL and communication for individuals with neurodegenerative disease. Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used. Research participants were recruited from a specialist hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 16 people participated in the first part and 34 in the second, all of whom had been diagnosed with neurodegenerative disease associated with different severities of progressive dysarthria. In addition, caregivers participated to explore the difference between their perceptions of participants’ QoL and functional communication and that of the participants themselves. It was established that QoL, as measured by the ASIP, showed the most frequent relationship with functional measures of communication. Additionally, qualitative analysis of interviews highlighted themes related to physical, psychological, social, and environmental factors. Communication was mainly discussed in relation to changes and restrictions in participation and interaction. Finally caregiver and patient perspectives were found to be similar when asked to rate the participants’ QoL and functional communication. Although this research is not without limitations as reflected by some of the methodologies used as well as variable population features within the disease groups, it is an important first step in looking at a Saudi Arabian population with progressive dysarthria and exploring methods for assessing intelligibility, functional communication and the relationship between communication and QoL.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:626675 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Faisal Al Saud, M. |
| Publisher | University College London (University of London) |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1428860/ |
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