Näraståendes upplevelse av förändringar av pragmatiska aspekter i samtalsinteraktion hos patienter med typisk parkinsonism

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine if atypical Parkinsonism affects the pragmatic ability in conversational interaction. 15 persons close to individuals with atypical Parkinsonism answered a questionnaire, "Bedömning av förändring i samtalsinteraktion", estimating experienced change in interactive skills compared to before the disease. The study also examined if perceived change correlates with disease duration and if perceived change differs between types of atypical Parkinsonism. The results show that at group level the participants experience change in many aspects of conversational interaction, particularly regarding speech, body communication, response latency, phrase length, word finding and ability to understand. There was no correlation between perceived change and disease duration. Persons close to individuals with progressive supranuclear palsy perceived change in more aspects of conversational interaction than persons close to individuals with multiple system atrophy. The results indicate that the pragmatic ability of individuals with atypical Parkinsonism is affected.