Telerehabilitation for Communication and Swallowing Disorders in Parkinson's Disease.

Communication and swallowing disorders are highly prevalent in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). The negative impact of these disorders on the quality of life of the person with PD and their families cannot be underestimated. Despite a demand for speech-language pathology services to support people with PD, many barriers to services exist. Telerehabilitation provides an alternate and complementary approach to in-person therapy that is patient-centered, enables timely assessment and intervention, and facilitates continuity of care throughout the course of the disease. This review explores the telerehabilitation applications designed for the management of the communication and swallowing disorders in PD, addresses the benefits and challenges of telerehabilitation, identifies future research directions, and highlights the potential of new technologies to enhance the management of communication and swallowing disorders and quality of life for people with PD.

COMMUNICATION AND SWALLOWING DISORDERS

Communication and swallowing disorders are common sequelae of Parkinson’s disease (PD) with the prevalence and severity increasing as the disease progresses. The communication disorders include the speech disorder, hypokinetic dysarthria, and a cognitive-communicative language disorder associated with cognitive decline [1, 2]. Dysarthria, evident in up to 89% of people with PD (PWP) is characterized by imprecise articulation, reduced loudness, monotony of pitch and loudness, short rushes of speech/accelerated speech, a breathy and harsh vocal quality, and reduced breath support for speech [1, 3]. Cognitive changes associated with PD range from mild cognitive impairment (up to 33%) through to dementia (24% to 31%) [4]. These cognitive changes impact attention, episodic and working memory, and executive functions which underpin the comprehension and expression of language [2, 5]. The associated cognitive-communication disorders include: impaired comprehension of long and complex sentences and paragraph text [6, 7]; difficulty in interpreting abstract language and humor [8]; and impairment of word-finding and verbal fluency [9]; and sentence production [10].

Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) occur in 80% of PWP when objectively measured despite self-reported dysphagia evident in only one-third of PWP living in the community [11]. As swallowing disorders increase with age, disease duration and dementia [12], effective monitoring and timely management of swallowing function is imperative in PWP. Swallowing abnormalities include: decreased oral control of the bolus; lingual pumping to execute the swallow; delayed initiation of pharyngeal swallow; slow laryngeal elevation and excursion; and upper esophageal sphincter incoordination [13]. Swallowing dysfunction may result in drooling [14], oral residue post-swallow [15], and bolus penetration and aspiration [16]. Aspiration occurs in more than 50% of PWP and may be obvious or silent [17, 18]. Videofluroscopic examination of swallowing is required to determine the safety of oral intake [17].

NEED FOR ACCESSIBLE SUPPORT

People with PD and their families convincingly report the negative impact of communication and swallowing disorders on their quality of life. The speech and cognitive-communication disorders result in ineffective social communication due to difficulties in being understood, expressing personal opinions, and initiating topics in conversation [19-22]. Swallowing disorders result in embarrassment when eating and drinking, and anxiety regarding choking and drooling [19, 22]. The communication and swallowing disorders lead to reduced confidence, social withdrawal, isolation, low levels of communicative participation in everyday life and a poorer quality of life [22-24].

Maintaining quality of life and adequate levels of functional communication and swallowing throughout the course of the disease is challenging for both PWP and their families, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Although SLPs provide effective intervention to PWP, in-person service delivery and established processes preclude a sustainable long-term approach to management. Access to SLP services for PWP remains inadequate with studies in western countries reporting only 45% to 59% of PWP receiving varying levels of service [19, 22, 25]. Common barriers to accessing SLP services include: geographical location; availability of clinicians with PD-specific expertise; motor, cognitive, communication, and psychological disturbances associated with PD; timing of medications; and dependency on others to attend healthcare facilities [19, 21, 22].

What is needed is an equitable and flexible alternate service delivery model that mitigates these barriers and addresses the communication and swallowing needs of PWP in a timely manner. The impetus for change in SLP service models is supported by emerging social, economic and healthcare imperatives indicating a rise in PD with increased life expectancy [26], the desire of older people to remain living in their own homes [27] and the move towards integrated and patient-centered management involving care close to home, patient empowerment and self-management, proactive and timely care, tailored interventions, access to appropriate care, coordinated care management, and continuity of care for PWP [28].

This short review paper provides a summary of research in the management of the communication and swallowing disorders in people with PD via telerehabilitation for health professionals working with PWP. It highlights key findings from a previous systematic review [29].

TELEREHABILITATION

Telerehabilitation in which various technologies are used to deliver rehabilitation at a distance [30] provides an alternate and complementary approach to the management of the communication and swallowing disorders in PD. Professional associations in the USA [31], United Kingdom [32] and Australia [33] endorse the use of telerehabilitation/telepractice as a mode of service delivery in speech-language pathology and provide training and resources for clinicians. Preservice training programs for SLPs in telerehabilitation have been established in university-based clinics [34, 35].

Technology can support an ongoing home-based patient-centered management program for communication and swallowing disorders involving tailored individual treatment, group therapy, maintenance therapy, self-management, and monitoring throughout the course of the disease (See Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

Telerehabilitation and the Management of Communication and Swallowing Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease.

An example for a PWP with a speech disorder:

A PWP receives intensive individual treatment via videoconferencing; exercises self-management of their speech through home practice with computer-based software and mobile apps; participates in group therapy via multipoint videoconferencing; connects regularly with the SLP via videoconference to receive booster therapy to maintain speech; engages in periodic monitoring of speech by sending audio/video recorded speech samples via email to SLP for review and feedback.

A systematic scoping review identified 15 studies involving the technology-enabled management of communication and swallowing disorders in PWP [29]. The research focused on the assessment and treatment of the speech disorder with little attention given to the management of cognitive-communication disorders. The technologies involved in these studies included both synchronous and asynchronous tools such as videoconferencing software, computer-based software, a web-based application, and remote monitoring via a smartphone. To date, rigorous validation of online assessment of the speech disorder in PD has been reported using videoconferencing [36]. Treatment studies have focused on the delivery of the intensive, LSVT LOUD® program [37, 38] and demonstrated the noninferiority of this treatment when delivered via telerehabilitation [39-41]. An extended version of this treatment (LSVT-X) [42] has been shown to be efficacious when delivered via videoconferencing [43]. Computer-based software, LSVT Companion®, provides an asynchronous technology for use by the PWP in the home to engage in the LSVT LOUD program and to maintain speech [44]. Online group therapy for PWP following LSVT LOUD has been found to be feasible and acceptable to PWP as a form of maintenance therapy using multipoint videoconferencing software [45]. A self-management asynchronous web-based application (e-learning-based speech therapy –EST) in combination with phone and email contact demonstrated improved speech intelligibility in a single case of a PWP [46]. One case study reported on the feasibility of remote monitoring of speech and language in PWP via a smartphone in which small sensors recorded voice and language [47].

To date only one study has investigated the validity and reliability of assessing cognitive-communication function in PWP via videoconferencing (Swales et al, unpublished data). High strength of agreement between online and in-person raters was identified for all subtests of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment [48], four subtests of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination-3 [49], and the Mt Wilga High-Level Language Test [50].

The use of telerehabilitation to address the swallowing disorders in PWP has focused primarily on clinical assessment of swallowing via videoconferencing. Seminal research in this area demonstrated the validity, reliability and acceptability of online swallowing assessment in cohorts including PWP and other conditions [51, 52]. Videofluoroscopic assessment of swallowing in various cohorts has been found to be valid and reliable in the online environment and has potential to identify silent aspiration in PWP [53, 54]. Although specific validation studies involving treatment have yet to be conducted, telerehabilitation offers the opportunity for SLPs to observe PWP in their usual environment during meals and offer advice and direction regarding positioning, food intake, and safety considerations. The realism achieved through viewing the PWP in the home at mealtimes via videoconferencing surpasses the simulated in-clinic approach and supports the use of telerehabilitation in the management of swallowing disorders in PD.

The acceptance of telerehabilitation by PWP and their families is essential for integration of this mode of service delivery into mainstream practice. Overall, PWP and their families have expressed support for technology-enabled services and acceptance of technology, and an appreciation of the benefits of this service mode [29].

Despite the benefits and acceptability of telerehabilitation for PWP and their families, there are some challenges in delivering effective online services to PWP. Key challenges include: patient factors; e-helper training; type and availability of technology; access to online resources; and reimbursement. The use of telerehabilitation for PWP is dependent on the patient having sufficient cognitive function to follow instructions and retain information, adequate aided hearing and vision, and the availability of assistance on their end when needed. Appropriate selection of PWP for telerehabilitation is critical to success and may not always be achieved through screening assessments. In some cases, it is necessary to conduct a trial session/s with a PWP to determine suitability. For PWP with cognitive-communication disorders, additional language and memory supports will be required to facilitate therapy sessions. E-helper training is essential for remote clinical swallowing assessments to ensure the safety of the procedure [55]. The e-helper must be trained to deliver the oral intake, monitor the swallow, and provide feedback to the online clinician.

The type and availability of technology (devices and internet connectivity) may present as a barrier for some PWP depending on cost and location. Where internet connectivity and technology is suboptimal such that service fidelity cannot be maintained, telerehabilitation should not be considered. The functionality of the technology to deliver a service needs to be carefully considered by the clinician. For example, to effectively deliver LSVT LOUD, the technology must provide videoconferencing, have capacity to record sound pressure level and frequency of the voice, and be able to provide audio playback of speech samples for the PWP to self-monitor.

Clinicians must also consider the availability of online assessment and therapy resources to execute their management plans. Some standardized assessments may not yet be available in digital format, and time and funds are needed to develop online therapy resources. Reimbursement for services has been a universal barrier but may become less so in the future following recent expansion of reimbursement to speech pathology services during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the challenge to maintain ongoing reimbursement remains.

THE FUTURE

With research to date focused predominantly on the management of the speech disorder via telerehabilitation, future research needs to address the treatment of cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders to provide a comprehensive telerehabilitation management plan for PWP. Integration of telerehabilitation into mainstream practice will require implementation research addressing changes to administrative and clinical processes, clinician training, and cost analyses.

Although videoconferencing software has been the main telerehabilitation tool used to date, technologies such as asynchronous web-based portals, specific remote monitoring technologies, virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) are likely to contribute to the management of communication and swallowing disorders in PWP in the future. Web-based portals enable clinicians to design tailored home therapy programs for patients, track adherence, and monitor performance remotely [56], and provide more consistent self-management and maintenance support. Remote monitoring technology specifically for oropharyngeal swallowing disorders is also being developed and may be beneficial for PWP [57]. Virtual reality can provide immersive simulated real-world environments in which PWP can practice everyday communicative situations (e.g., ordering in a restaurant, conversing in distracting environments) in a supportive setting [58]. The VR scenarios also enable more ecologically valid assessments and interventions beyond the clinic interaction [58]. Artificial intelligence involving machine learning and natural language processing has the potential to develop speech recognition software for PWP enabling more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of the disorder [59] and ultimately, access to in-home communication assistant devices.

CONCLUSION

Telerehabilitation is a feasible and valid mode of service delivery for the management of the speech disorder associated with PD and for the assessment of swallowing. The treatment of cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders via telerehabilitation has yet to be validated. Telerehabilitation enables patient-centered care in the person’s natural environment thus optimizing therapeutic benefits and facilitates timely intervention across the course of the disease. The acceptance and acknowledged benefits of telerehabilitation by PWP bodes well for integration into mainstream SLP practice (Table 1). The ongoing development of technology will result in the availability of more sophisticated applications to effectively assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders and improve the quality of life of PWP and their families.

Table 1

Summary of Telerehabilitation for Communication and Swallowing Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease (PD)

•Telerehabilitation is feasible and valid for management of speech disorder

•Online assessment of swallowing disorders validated

•Treatment of cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders

via telerehabilitation yet to be validated

•Accepted by people with PD and families

•Patient-centered, e.g., local point of delivery, tailored to individual needs

•Facilitates timely and proactive intervention throughout course of the disease

•Enables flexible use of multiple forms of intervention,

e.g., individual, group or maintenance therapy, self-management, monitoring

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The author has no conflict of interest to report.