Remotely-delivered Better Conversations with Primary Progressive Aphasia for semantic variant primary progressive aphasia: A case study

Background Better Conversations with Primary Progressive Aphasia (BCPPA) is a structured, conversation-focused intervention that targets the communication behaviors of both individuals with PPA and their communication partners. Positive outcomes for individuals with logopenic and nonfluent variant PPA and their communication partners have been demonstrated in an in-person pilot randomized controlled trial.Aims This case study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary benefit of remotely-delivered BCPPA for an individual with semantic variant PPA (svPPA) and his communication partner.Methods & Procedures One individual with svPPA and his communication partner participated in this study. Participants reported their achievement of personal communication goals. Data collected at pre- and post-treatment included the frequency of communication behaviors in video-recorded dyadic conversations, rating scales evaluating communication and quality of life, and responses to semi-structured pre-treatment, post-treatment, and BCPPA feedback interviews.Outcomes & Results Remotely-delivered BCPPA was found to be a feasible and acceptable treatment for the individual with svPPA and his communication partner. Despite progression of language deficits, the individual with svPPA and the communication partner felt they benefited from the treatment and made progress on some communication goals. Both participants also increased their use of gestures in dyadic conversations. Following BCPPA, the individual with svPPA reported increased health-related quality of life; however, the communication partner reported increased caregiving burden. Qualitative analysis of interviews with the communication partner revealed an improved understanding of her role in implementing communication strategies in conversations.Conclusions This study provides preliminary evidence supporting remotely-delivered BCPPA for addressing communication difficulties in svPPA.