Sains Malaysiana 49(5)(2020): 1037-1044

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2020-4905-08

User Perception on the Use of a Custom-Built Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Device for Elderly with Aphasia in Malaysia

(Persepsi Pengguna ke atas Penggunaan Alat Komunikasi Augmentatif dan Alternatif (AAC) dibina secara Khusus untuk Orang Tua dengan Afasia di Malaysia)

MOHD FAIZ AZMI¹, NUR AZAH HAMZAID¹*, MAS SAHIDAYANA MOHKTAR¹ & LYDIA ABDUL LATIF²

¹Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia

²Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia

Received: 6 May 2019/Accepted: 15 January 2020

ABSTRACT

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device is one type of AAC which can be used to communicate besides oral speech. It has high potential to assist people with speech disabilities including elderly with aphasia (EWA) to communicate with others. This study was conducted using a newly built AAC device, TalkMate™, as a reference for AAC devices. This study aims to explore the views and perception of users regarding the use of AAC device for elderly with aphasia living in Malaysia. The EWA participants recruited for this study varied in age, severity level and experience with AAC. A qualitative design with five focus groups was conducted. The focus group discussion included caretakers, healthcare professionals and AAC device developers to gain information about multiple perspectives on AAC device use. Thematic analysis yielded four key themes: needs of using AAC, decision on using AAC, resources, and potential improvement of AAC for EWAs. This study highlighted the importance of understanding the needs of EWAs, decision, improvement on the quality of life of the EWAs, and the future of using AAC device. The main barriers of using AAC were identified to be due to funding and access to devices.   

Keywords: AAC; Aphasia; assistive technology; rehabilitation

ABSTRAK

Peranti Komunikasi Augmentatif dan Alternatif (AAC) adalah satu jenis AAC yang boleh digunakan untuk berkomunikasi selain ucapan lisan. Ia mempunyai potensi tinggi untuk membantu pertuturan orang kurang upaya termasuk orang tua dengan afasia (EWA) untuk berkomunikasi dengan orang lain. Kajian ini dijalankan menggunakan peranti AAC yang baru dibina, Talkmate™ sebagai rujukan kepada peranti AAC. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk melihat pandangan dan persepsi pengguna tentang penggunaan peranti AAC untuk warga tua dengan afasia yang tinggal di Malaysia. Para perserta, EWA yang direkrut untuk kajian ini bervariasi daripada segi usia, tahap kesakitan dan pengalaman dengan AAC. Kajian kualitatif dengan lima kumpulan berfokus telah dijalankan. Perbincangan kumpulan berfokus juga termasuk penjaga, kumpulan profesional kesihatan dan pemaju peranti AAC untuk mendapat maklumat daripada pelbagai perspektif mengenai penggunaan peranti AAC. Analisis tema menghasilkan empat tema utama: keperluan menggunakan AAC, keputusan menggunakan AAC, sumber dan peningkatan potensi AAC untuk EWA. Kajian ini menekankan kepentingan dalam memahami keperluan EWA, keputusan, peningkatan kualiti hidup EWA dan masa depan menggunakan peranti AAC. Halangan utama menggunakan AAC yang dikenal pasti adalah disebabkan pembiayaan dan akses kepada peranti.

Kata kunci: AAC; afasia; rehabilitasi; teknologi bantuan

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*Corresponding author; email: azah.hamzaid@um.edu.my