Abstract:

This study explores how conversational interaction is affected in a progressive neurological disease and what changes in the communication are reported by significant others in a questionnaire. Three dyads, each consisting of a person with Huntington’s disease and a conversational partner, were video-recorded, and the conversations were analysed with respect to the parameters in the questionnaire and also with the method Activity-based Communication Analysis. The analyses revealed that several important aspects of communication were affected by the disease in each of the three cases presented here. Most, but not all, of these changes in communication were also reported by the significant other in the questionnaire. These results show that it is important to look out for possible communication problems when managing individuals with Huntington’s disease. The questionnaire utilised in this study, with some modifications, seems to be a promising instrument for use in a clinical setting.

Author: Charlotta Saldert, Elisabeth Eriksson, Kerstin Petersson, Lena Hartelius