Does Verbal Communication Impairment Affect Quality of Life in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients?

Does Verbal Communication Impairment Affect Quality of Life in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients? The purpose of this study was to examine the selfperceived QOL in ALS patients. Literature will be presented on the incidence, prevalence, prognosis, diagnosis and management of ALS, QOL studies for ALS, the role of the multidisciplinary team, the impairments and dysfunction that ALS patients experience, communication issues, and the development of ALS specific instruments to measure QOL. The "bulbar dysfunction" that ALS patients experience in salivation management, speech, and swallowing were examined in detail. The objectives of this research study were to investigate the following hypotheses: 1. QOL will differ among ALS patients with varying levels of speech, swallowing, and salivation functioning, 2. Patients wit~ less impairment in these aspects of physical functioning will report better QOL. Archival data was obtained from a validation study for the ALSSQOL instrument that employed 7 university-based ALS centers. ANOVA revealed that self-reported QOL varied Communication & QOL in ALS vn according to level of functioning for speech F (4,333) 5.13, p =.001; swallowing F(4, 333)= 6.88, p=.OOO; and salivation, F(4,333)= 3.75, p =.000. This research is important because it showed that QOL is adversely affected by impaired communication abilities. Having this knowledge will allow mental health providers to tailor time-sensitive interventions more appropriately, perhaps enhancing ALS patients' QOL. Areas of future consideration include utilization of the ALSSQOL for longitudinal studies and for investigation of ALS patients' mindsets as they prepare to experience each of the transitions during this predictable disease process. Communication & QOL in ALS viii