Conversation Barriers and Strategies Used by People with Parkinson's and Their Partners to Support Conversation
Saved in:
| Title: | Conversation Barriers and Strategies Used by People with Parkinson's and Their Partners to Support Conversation |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Ramishka Thilakaratne (ORCID |
| Source: | International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. 2026 61(2). |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 14 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Neurological Impairments, Communication Disorders, Interpersonal Communication, Barriers, Coping, Intervention, Older Adults |
| DOI: | 10.1111/1460-6984.70202 |
| ISSN: | 1368-2822 1460-6984 |
| Abstract: | Background: People with Parkinson's experience a range of communication difficulties impacting their conversations. As conversations are a two-way or more interaction, communication partners play an important role in conversational success. Aims: This qualitative exploratory study sought to capture the lived experience of people with Parkinson's and their communication partners regarding (i) their perceptions of barriers to successful conversations and (ii) strategies perceived as helpful to support their conversations. Methods and Procedures: Data were collected from 45 participants (25 people with Parkinson's and 20 communication partners) across five focus groups and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Outcomes and Results: Participants discussed five categories of barriers to conversation. These related to the person with Parkinson's, communication partner, conversation dynamic, background noise, and limited information and services. Participants described six categories of strategies used to support conversations. These included strategies used to prepare for conversations, during conversations, for phone use, acceptance and awareness, services and information, and engagement in activities. Conclusions and Implications: People with Parkinson's face unique challenges in conversation and may benefit from a range of strategies to support conversational success. Through their lived experience of Parkinson's, they have developed strategies that support conversational success. Both the person with Parkinson's and their partner contribute to the success of a conversation. New findings revealed the impact of cognitive load on conversations. These findings warrant careful consideration in the development of future communication-focused therapeutic approaches for individuals with Parkinson's and their families. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1500557 |
| Database: | ERIC |
Be the first to leave a comment!
