@article{FladerKurfessSchoormannetal., author = {Flader, Constanze and Kurfess, Christina and Schoormann, Vivian and Schwinn, Silke and Papen, Anna}, title = {ADeuS - Anxiety, Depression and Voice The Relationship of Functional Dysphonia and Psychological Factors}, series = {Sprache · Stimme · Geh{\"o}r}, volume = {45}, journal = {Sprache · Stimme · Geh{\"o}r}, number = {02}, publisher = {Thieme}, doi = {10.1055/a-1351-9320}, pages = {77 -- 81}, abstract = {Introduction International studies show a relation between functional dysphonia and mental disorders. The aim of this study was to determine a correlation between functional dysphonia, anxiety and depression for Germany. Methods A cross-sectional study including 66 patients with functional voice disorder was conducted. The data was collected using standardized self-reported instruments for measuring voice disorders (VHI-30), anxiety and depression (HADS-D, STADI (T)). Results High self-assessment values for dysphonia indicate a higher probability of anxiety and depression. A high value in HADS-D predict a high value in VHI-30. Conclusion For this sample a relation between voice disorders, anxiety and depression has been proven.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{KurfessCorstenKnieriemenetal., author = {Kurfess, Christina and Corsten, Sabine and Knieriemen, Marie and Kreiter, Daniel and Lauer, Norina}, title = {Peer-to-peer Support: Digital Networking in Aphasia to Improve Quality of Life (PeerPAL) - Study Protocol for App Development and Evaluation}, series = {Research Square}, journal = {Research Square}, doi = {10.21203/rs.3.rs-844516/v1}, abstract = {Background: People with aphasia (PWA) often have a reduced quality of life. Nevertheless, there are currently only a few specific services that respond to this problem. Hence, there is a pressing need for action to improve participation and well-being of people with aphasia. An adapted social network could be a solution. Well-being could be increased by exchanging experiences with peers in a similar situation. Moreover, comprehensive digital coverage would also be possible in rural and underserved areas. This digital social network should be adapted to the specific needs of PWA. Therefore, a participatory, agile process with the involvement of the target group should be adopted. Aim: The aim is to develop and evaluate a social media platform as a smartphone app to support the social integration of PWA and to improve their quality of life. In addition to the digital exchange, face-to-face meetings between PWA should be stimulated. Design: The study will be conducted in a randomised pretest-posttest control group design with follow-up testing. The participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental intervention (36 participants) or the control intervention (36 participants). The primary outcome is quality of life, measured with the SAQOL-39. At all measurement times, psychological well-being is recorded with the help of two measuring instruments (GHQ-12 \& DISCs). The secondary outcome is the recording of social contacts and activities as well as associated emotions, registered in a structured diary. In addition, communication skills (measured with the CPIB) and social support (recorded with the F-SozU) will be examined. Method: During the first project phase, a user-centred, agile development process will be adopted to design the app. The target group will be involved in the app development in a participatory manner. A workshop is planned for the users of the app. In the second phase, the usability and user-friendliness of the app will first be evaluated in a feasibility study. Subsequently, in the main study, the app will then be tested by the target group for 4 months. Discussion: The app developed in the research project is the first social network that is tailored to the needs and capabilities of PWA. It aims to enable better exchange between PWA to improve social participation and quality of life.}, language = {en} } @article{KurfessLauerKnieriemenetal., author = {Kurfeß, Christina and Lauer, Norina and Knieriemen, Marie and Kreiter, Daniel and Corsten, Sabine}, title = {Gut vernetzt ist halb befreundet!?}, series = {Forum Logop{\"a}die}, volume = {36}, journal = {Forum Logop{\"a}die}, number = {3}, publisher = {Schulz-Kirchner-Verlag}, doi = {10.2443/skv-s-2022-53020220301}, pages = {6 -- 11}, abstract = {Die Entwicklung einer an die spezifischen Bed{\"u}rfnisse von Menschen mit Aphasie angepassten Smartphone-basierten App erfordert einen umfangreichen Entwicklungsprozess. Dabei ist es wichtig, die Zielgruppe von Anfang an in den Prozess einzubeziehen, um die spezifischen W{\"u}nsche und Anforderungen an die App erfassen und in den Entwicklungsprozess integrieren zu k{\"o}nnen. In diesem Beitrag wird die nutzerzentrierte, partizipative Entwicklung der App PeerPAL vorgestellt. Mit der App sollen neben einem digitalen Austausch auch reale Face-to-Face-Treffen stimuliert werden mit dem Ziel, die autonome Vernetzung unter den Betroffenen zu f{\"o}rdern und dadurch die Lebensqualit{\"a}t von Menschen mit Aphasie zu steigern.}, subject = {Aphasie}, language = {de} } @article{KurfessCorstenNickeletal., author = {Kurfess, Christina and Corsten, Sabine and Nickel, Maren Tabea and Knieriemen, Marie and Kreiter, Daniel and Lauer, Norina}, title = {Peer-to-peer support: digital networking in aphasia to improve quality of life (PeerPAL)}, series = {Frontiers in Communication}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in Communication}, publisher = {Frontiers Media S.A.}, doi = {10.3389/fcomm.2023.1187233}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-64881}, abstract = {Background: People with aphasia (PWA) often suffer from reduced participation and quality of life. Nevertheless, there are currently only a few specific interventions that respond to this problem. Participation and quality of life could be increased by interacting with peers who have similar experiences. Digital social networks could stimulate an autonomous interaction. However, digital social networks need to be adapted to the specific needs of PWA. Therefore, a participatory, agile process involving the target group should be chosen to develop such a olution, i.e., an app. The research project consists of a total of three phases. In the first phase—app development—the app was developed and programmed including the target group. In the second phase—app testing—the usability and user-friendliness of the app were evaluated with four PWA. In the third phase—feasibility and preliminary effcacy—that will be described in the article, the impact of the app on PWA will be evaluated. Aims: The overarching aim of our study is to provide preliminary effcacy of the intervention. Digital social interaction with other PWA can lead to increased social integration. In addition to digital interaction, personal encounters between PWA should be encouraged. As a result, we expect an improvement in quality of life of PWA. Additionally, we focus on identification of the most appropriate measurements to discover changes associated with the intervention. Methods: The evaluation, which is described in this paper, takes place in a pre-test - post-test design with a total of n = 48 PWA. Participants will be recruited in regional clusters to facilitate face-to-face meetings. Half of the participants will be assigned to the delayed intervention group and the other half to the immediate intervention group. Participants in the delayed intervention group will go through a 3-month waiting period before using the app, while the participants of the immediate intervention group will start using the app for 3 months right away. Inclusion criteria are the presence of chronic aphasia (at least 6 months) and possession of a smartphone with internet access. Questionnaires on quality of life (SAQOL-39, GHQ-12), depression (GDS, DISCs), communicative participation (CPIB), and social support (F-SozU) will be conducted at inclusion (t0), after 3 months of app use (t1), and after another 3 months for follow-up (t2). Participants in the delayed intervention group will be assessed twice before the intervention, before the 3-month waiting period (t0a) and after the waiting period (t0b). In addition to the quantitative measures, interviews will take place with 6 to 8 selected participants after 3 months of app use. Responses will be analysed using Thematic Analysis. Discussion: The app will be the first social network tool that is systematically developed with PWA. Initial indications from the first phases are that the app can be used by PWA, so that the evaluation of this app version can take place in the third phase. Results of this study can provide an initial indication of whether social network support is a suitable intervention. Findings will help provide information on the feasibility of digital connectivity for PWA. Preliminary findings on its impact on the participation and quality of life of PWA could be made available.}, subject = {Aphasie}, language = {en} }