Case study of partner training in corticobasal degeneration

Abstract

Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is a progressive neurological disorder, which compromises an individual’s ability to communicate and engage in personally relevant activities given severe linguistic, cognitive, motoric, and behavioral impairments. These deficits can lead to social isolation for the individual with CBD and primary caregivers. Previous research has discussed the common linguistic, cognitive, and physical impairments in CBD but has provided limited discussion of interventions to foster continued engagement in meaningful activities and communication. The current case study follows the interactions of an individual with CBD and her spouse through a partner training program. In addition to discussing the cognitivelinguistic profile of the individual with CBD, training methods and outcomes are reviewed. A novel partner training approach employed video and direct othermodeling (VOM/DOM), along with education about communication impairments associated with CBD. Gains on measures of communication support (MSC) and exchange productivity (MPC) were noted from pre-training to post-training and maintained at a six-week follow-up. Non-supportive behaviours such as quizzing decreased post-training and supportive techniques of acknowledging and revealing competence increased. Subsequently, interaction by the individual with CBD increased, however; transaction remained constrained. The conclusions suggest that participatory action research can be useful in tailoring an intervention approach to an individual. VOM/DOM training approaches appear to have value as tools for an individualized communication partner training approach.