The development of the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia knowledge scale and contribution to its validation

Area of Science:

• Speech-language pathology
• Neurology
• Rehabilitation science

Background:

• The Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA) emphasizes personalized intervention for individuals with aphasia.
• Understanding of LPAA among speech-language therapists (SLTs) is currently unknown.
• A validated tool is needed to assess SLTs' knowledge of LPAA for effective implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate the validity and reliability of a novel tool assessing SLTs' knowledge of the LPAA.
• To provide a means to measure SLT comprehension of LPAA principles.
• To support the integration of LPAA into aphasia rehabilitation practices.

Main Methods:

• An initial scale was created and validated by LPAA experts.
• The scale underwent revision based on expert feedback.
• Fifty-nine SLTs completed the revised scale via an online survey platform.

Main Results:

• The LPAA Knowledge Scale demonstrated a Cronbach's alpha of 0.73.
• Removing two items improved the scale's internal consistency to an alpha of 0.80.
• The revised scale also showed an increase in total accuracy.

Conclusions:

• The LPAA Knowledge Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring SLT knowledge of LPAA.
• This tool can be utilized to evaluate LPAA training effectiveness for SLTs.
• The scale serves as a self-assessment resource for SLTs to gauge their application of LPAA.