The living with dysarthria group: implementation and feasibility of a group intervention for people with dysarthria following stroke and family members.

Background: The broad life implications of acquired dysarthria are recognized, but they have received little attention in stroke management. Reports of group therapy, which may be a suitable approach to intervention, are not available for stroke-related dysarthria.

Aims: To examine the operational feasibility of and response to a new eight-session weekly group intervention programme, Living with Dysarthria, designed for people with chronic dysarthria following stroke and their main communication partners.

Non-speech oro-motor exercise use in acquired dysarthria management: regimes and rationales.

Background: Non-speech oro-motor exercises (NSOMExs) are described in speech and language therapy manuals and are thought to be much used in acquired dysarthria intervention, though there is no robust evidence of an influence on speech outcome. Opinions differ as to whether, and for which dysarthria presentations, NSOMExs are appropriate.

Aims: The investigation sought to collect development-phase data, in accordance with the Medical Research Council (MRC) evaluation of complex interventions.

The influence of lockout intervals and drug selection on patient-controlled analgesia following gynecological surgery.

This study systematically compared 2 opioids, morphine (MOR) and fentanyl (FEN), and 2 lockout intervals, long (L) and short (S) in patients utilizing patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Seventy-eight women undergoing gynecological surgery were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: MOR-S (7 min), MOR-L (11 min), FEN-S (5 min), FEN-L (8 min). PCA measures obtained during the first 24 h after surgery included: number of demands/h, number of completed deliveries/h, dose/h, and demand/delivery ratio.