- Library Home /
- Search Collections /
- Open Collections /
- Browse Collections /
- UBC Theses and Dissertations /
- Comprehensibility : a potential measure for improvement...
Open Collections
UBC Theses and Dissertations
UBC Theses and Dissertations
Comprehensibility : a potential measure for improvement in communication Visser, Tiffany
Abstract
The present study examined the relationship between changes in comprehensibility and changes in intelligibility over time, for an individual with dysarthria. Intelligibility has been the primary focus in the assessment and treatment of dysarthria. This study builds on the work of Yorkston, Strand, and Kennedy (1996) to establish comprehensibility as an alternative or additional focus for dysarthria. It does so within the context of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO is dedicated to ensuring that individuals meet the highest level of biological, psychological, and physiological health. Comprehensibility has the potential to promote increased health and quality of life by focusing on the communication within a dyad rather than focusing only on the speech signal as intelligibility does. This study was based on secondary analysis of audio- and videotaped assessment data. The data were collected at two points in time during the externship of a clinical student, G, with a client E, who had mixed spastic hypokinetic dysarthria. The goal of the present study was to establish the clinical utility of comprehensibility in terms of its application in structured assessment, in addition to the reflection of changes in conversation and in judgments of unfamiliar individuals. Two focus groups were recruited for perceptual judgments of conversations. Results revealed that in structured assessment, changes in comprehensibility occurred in the absence of changes in speech characteristics. Changes in comprehensibility were also reflected in conversation in the form of more efficient breakdown resolution strategies of both members of the dyad and in differences in topic control. Both groups of participants rated the second conversation to be more successful, and slightly more proficient, than the first. Ratings on other elements of the conversation, such as comfort, interest, and effort, however, varied between the two groups. Interpretation of these differences, clinical implications, and potential for future research is discussed.
Item Metadata
Title |
Comprehensibility : a potential measure for improvement in communication
|
Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
|
Date Issued |
2004
|
Description |
The present study examined the relationship between changes in comprehensibility and
changes in intelligibility over time, for an individual with dysarthria. Intelligibility has been the
primary focus in the assessment and treatment of dysarthria. This study builds on the work of
Yorkston, Strand, and Kennedy (1996) to establish comprehensibility as an alternative or
additional focus for dysarthria. It does so within the context of the International Classification of
Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO is dedicated to ensuring that individuals meet the highest level of biological,
psychological, and physiological health. Comprehensibility has the potential to promote
increased health and quality of life by focusing on the communication within a dyad rather than
focusing only on the speech signal as intelligibility does.
This study was based on secondary analysis of audio- and videotaped assessment data.
The data were collected at two points in time during the externship of a clinical student, G, with
a client E, who had mixed spastic hypokinetic dysarthria. The goal of the present study was to
establish the clinical utility of comprehensibility in terms of its application in structured
assessment, in addition to the reflection of changes in conversation and in judgments of
unfamiliar individuals. Two focus groups were recruited for perceptual judgments of
conversations. Results revealed that in structured assessment, changes in comprehensibility
occurred in the absence of changes in speech characteristics. Changes in comprehensibility were
also reflected in conversation in the form of more efficient breakdown resolution strategies of
both members of the dyad and in differences in topic control. Both groups of participants rated
the second conversation to be more successful, and slightly more proficient, than the first.
Ratings on other elements of the conversation, such as comfort, interest, and effort, however,
varied between the two groups. Interpretation of these differences, clinical implications, and
potential for future research is discussed.
|
Extent |
7803721 bytes
|
Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
|
Language |
eng
|
Date Available |
2009-12-02
|
Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
|
Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
|
DOI |
10.14288/1.0091867
|
URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
|
Graduation Date |
2005-05
|
Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
|
Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
|
Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.