Skip to main content

Building an Online Platform for Speech and Language Therapy in Germany: Users Needs and Requirements

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction (HCII 2023)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 14021))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 701 Accesses

Abstract

The aim of the HiSSS project is to develop a hybrid teletherapy system for people with speech and language disorders after stroke. This system should cover both face-to-face and video therapy and also enable patients to do independent exercises at home. This paper describes the analysis of the requirements and needs for such a system. The requirements analysis is based on literature and app research on the one hand and on the results of a focus group with speech and language therapists (SLTs) on the other. The literature research includes publications on the development and evaluation of technology for speech and language therapy for people after stroke. The app research aimed to derive requirements from the feedback on existing apps used in speech and language therapy. This was followed by a focus group with 3 SLTs who have previous experience of delivering video therapy. The results show overlaps, but also their own main areas of focus: While the literature research revealed more general requirements, the app research and the focus group indicated concrete wishes for specific functions. The synthesis of the results of the literature and app research and the focus group was essential to comprehensively collect and specify the requirements and user needs for a teletherapy system. The comparison between the results of the literature review and results of the focus group demonstrated the need for user involvement in technical development as early as possible. The amount of implementation ideas and the commitment shown by the therapists highlights the relevance for a teletherapy system in Germany that integrates three elements: (1) face to face therapy, and (2) video therapy and (3) home exercises.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Lozano, R., et al.: Global and regional mortality from 235 causes of death for 20 age groups in 1990 and 2010: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2010. The Lancet 380(9859), 2095–2128 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61728-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Breitenstein, C., et al.: Intensive speech and language therapy in patients with chronic aphasia after stroke: a randomised, open-label, blinded-endpoint, controlled trial in a health-care setting. The Lancet 389(10078), 1528–1538 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30067-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Winstein, C.J., et al.: Guidelines for adult stroke rehabilitation and recovery: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke 47(6), e98–e169 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0000000000000098

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Dickson, S., Barbour, R.S., Brady, M., Clark, A.M., Paton, G.: Patients’ experiences of disruptions associated with post-stroke dysarthria. Int. J. Lang. Commun. Disord. 43(2), 135–153 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1080/13682820701862228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Nätterlund, B.S.: A new life with aphasia: Everyday activities and social support. Scand. J. Occup. Therapy 17(2), 117–129 (2010). https://doi.org/10.3109/11038120902814416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Lam, J.M., Wodchis, W.P.: The relationship of 60 disease diagnoses and 15 conditions to preference-based health-related quality of life in Ontario hospital-based long-term care residents. Med. Care 48(4), 380–387 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1097/MLR.0b013e3181ca2647

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Cordella, C., Munsell, M., Godlove, J., Anantha, V., Advani, M., Kiran, S.: Dosage frequency effects on treatment outcomes following self-managed digital therapy: Retrospective cohort study. J. Med. Internet Res. 24(7), e36135 (2022). https://doi.org/10.2196/36135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Munsell, M., De Oliveira, E., Saxena, S., Godlove, J., Kiran, S.: Closing the digital divide in speech, language, and cognitive therapy: Cohort study of the factors associated with technology usage for rehabilitation. J. Med. Internet Res. 22(2), e16286 (2020). https://doi.org/10.2196/16286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Cason, J., Cohn, E.R.: Telepractice: An overview and best practices. Perspect. Augment. Alternat. Commun. 23(1), 4–17 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Cacciante, L., et al.: Telerehabilitation for people with aphasia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Commun. Disord. 92, 106111 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2021.106111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Levy, E.S., et al.: The effects of intensive speech treatment on intelligibility in Parkinson’s disease: A randomised controlled trial. EClinicalMedicine 24, 100429 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Ramig, L.R., Halpern, A., Spielman, J., Fox, C., Fremman, K.: Speech treatment in Parkinson’s disease: Randomized controlled trial (RCT). Mov. Disord. 33(11), 1777–1791 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.27460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Stark, B.C., Warburton, E.A.: Improved language in chronic aphasia after self-delivered iPad speech therapy. Neuropsychol. Rehabil. 28(5), 818–831 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2016.1146150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Mallet, K., et al.: RecoverNow: A patient perspective on the delivery of mobile tablet-based stroke rehabilitation in the acute care setting. Int. J. Stroke 14(2), 174–179 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1177/1747493018790031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Mortley, J., Wade, J., Davies, A., Enderby, P.: An investigation into the feasibility of remotely monitored computer therapy for people with aphasia. Adv. Speech Lang. Pathol. 5(1), 27–36 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Choi, Y.H., Park, H.K., Paik, N.J.: A telerehabilitation approach for chronic aphasia following stroke. Telemed. e-Health 22(5), 434–440 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2015.0138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Des Roches, C.A., Balachandran, I., Ascenso, E.M., Tripodis, Y., Kiran, S.: Effectiveness of an impairment-based individualized rehabilitation program using an iPad-based software platform. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 8, 1015 (2015). https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2014.01015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Routhier, S., Bier, N., Macoir, J.: Smart tablet for smart self-administered treatment of verb anomia: Two single-case studies in aphasia. Aphasiology 30(2–3), 269–289 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Palmer, R., et al.: Self-managed, computerised speech and language therapy for patients with chronic aphasia post-stroke compared with usual care or attention control (Big CACTUS): a multicentre, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Neurol. 18(9), 821–833 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(19)30192-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Steele, R.D., Baird, A., McCall, D., Haynes, L.: Combining teletherapy and on-line language exercises in the treatment of chronic aphasia: An outcome study. International Journal of Telerehabilitation 6(2), 3 (2014). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2014.6157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Vargas, C., Whelan, J., Brimblecombe, J., Allender, S.: Co-creation, co-design, co-production for public health: a perspective on definition and distinctions. Publ. Health Res. Pract. 32(2) (2022). https://doi.org/10.17061/phrp3222211

  22. Endter, C.: Assistiert Altern. Die Entwicklung digitaler Technologien für und mit älteren Menschen. Wiesbaden, Springer (2021)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  23. Karrer, K., Glaser, C., Clemens, C., Bruder, C.: Technikaffinität erfassen – der Fragebogen TA-EG. ZMMS Spektrum 29, 194–199 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Bilda, K., Fesenfeld, A., Leienbach, M., Meyer, E., Riebandt, S.: Teletherapie bei Aphasie: Eine Therapiestudie zur Akzeptanz und Effektivitt eines internet basierten Sprachtrainings mit integriertem Videokonferenzsystem. Forum Logopädie 28(2), 34–39 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Øra, H.P., Kirmess, M., Brady, M.C., Winsnes, I.E., Hansen, S.M., Becker, F.: Telerehabilitation for aphasia - protocol of a pragmatic, exploratory, pilot randomized controlled trial. Trials 19(1), 208 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-018-2588-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Barthel, M., Schwinn, S., Borgetto, B., Leinweber, J.: Digitalisierungschancen - Spurensuche nach Evidenz: Ergebnisse der Videointeraktionsanalyse aus dem Forschungsprojekt “ViTaL.” Forum Logopadie 35(1), 34–39 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Brennan, D.M., Georgeadis, A.C., Baron, C.R., Barker, L.M.: The effect of videoconference-based telerehabilitation on story retelling performance by brain-injured subjects and its implications for remote speech-language therapy. Telemed. J. E Health 10(2), 147–154 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Cherney, L.R., Lee, J.B., Kim, K.Y.A., van Vuuren, S.: Web-based Oral Reading for Language in Aphasia (Web ORLA®): A pilot randomized control trial. Clin. Rehabil. 35(7), 976–987 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215520988475

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Guo, Y.E., et al.: Assessment of aphasia across the international classification of functioning, disability and health using an iPad-based application. Telemed. J. E-Health: Off. J. Am. Telemed. Assoc. 23(4), 313–326 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2016.0072

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  30. Hill, A.J., Theodoros, D., Russell, T., Ward, E.: Using telerehabilitation to assess apraxia of speech in adults. Int. J. Lang. Commun. Disord. 44(5), 731–747 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1080/13682820802350537

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Kesav, P., Vrinda, S.L., Sukumaran, S., Sarma, P.S., Sylaja, P.N.: Effectiveness of speech language therapy either alone or with add-on computer-based language therapy software (Malayalam version) for early post stroke aphasia: A feasibility study. J. Neurol. Sci. 380, 137–141 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2017.07.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Kurland, J., Wilkins, A.R., Stokes, P.: iPractice: Piloting the effectiveness of a tablet-based home practice program in aphasia treatment. Semin. Speech Lang. 35(1), 51–63 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1362991

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Kurland, J., Liu, A., Stokes, P.: Effects of a tablet-based home practice program with telepractice on treatment outcomes in chronic aphasia. J. Speech Lang. Hear. Res. JSLHR 61(5), 1140–1156 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_JSLHR-L-17-0277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Liu, M., et al.: Improvement in language function in patients with aphasia using computer-assisted executive function training: A controlled clinical trial. PM R 14(8), 913–921 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.12679

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Macoir, J., Sauvageau, V.M., Boissy, P., Tousignant, M., Tousignant, M.: In-home synchronous Telespeech therapy to improve functional communication in chronic poststroke aphasia: Results from a quasi-experimental study. Telemed. J. E Health 23(8), 630–639 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2016.0235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Peñaloza, C., et al.: Telerehabilitation for word retrieval deficits in bilinguals with aphasia: Effectiveness and reliability as compared to in-person language therapy. Front. Neurol. 12, 589330 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.589330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Ruiter, M.B., Rietveld, T.C., Hoskam, V., Van Beers, M.M.: An exploratory investigation of E-rest: Teletherapy for chronically aphasic speakers. Int. J. Telerehabil. 8(1), 21–28 (2016). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2016.6191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Keidel, M., et al.: Telerehabilitation nach Schlaganfall im häuslichen Umfeld. Der Nervenarzt 88(2) (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Knepley, K.D., Mao, J.Z., Wieczorek, P., Okoye, F.O., Jain, A.P., Harel, N.Y.: Impact of telerehabilitation for stroke-related deficits. Telemed. J. e-health: Off. J. Am. Telemed. Assoc. 27(3), 239–246 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2020.0019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Laver, K.E., Adey-Wakeling, Z., Crotty, M., Lannin, N.A., George, S., Sherrington, C.: Telerehabilitation services for stroke. Cochrane Datab. System. Rev. 1(1), CD010255 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010255.pub3

  41. Sarfo, F.S., Ulasavets, U., Opare-Sem, O.K., Ovbiagele, B.: Tele-rehabilitation after stroke: An updated systematic review of the literature. J. Stroke Cerebrovasc. Dis. 27(9), 2306–2318 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2018.05.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Schwinn, S., Barthel, M., Leinweber, J., Borgetto, B.: Digitalisierungschancen in der Krise. Erste Ergebnisse zur Umsetzung der Videotherapie in der ambulanten Logopädie (ViTaL). Forum Logopädie 35(4), 18–21 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Weidner, K., Lowman, J.: Telepractice for adult speech-language pathology services: A systematic review. Perspect. ASHA Spec. Interest Groups 5(1), 326–338 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Bhattarai, B., Sanghavi, T., Abhishek, B.P.: Challenges in delivering tele-practice services for communication disorders among audiologists and speech language pathologists. Indian J. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-021-03032-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Lauer, N.: Teletherapie – hat die Logopädie eine digitale Zukunft?. Ergebnisse eines qualitativen Forschungsprojekts des Studiengangs Logopädie der OTH Regensburg. Forum Logopädie 34(5), 12–17 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  46. Schwinn, S., Barthel, M., Leinweber, J., Borgetto, B.: Digitalisierungschancen–Umsetzung von Videotherapie im Lockdown. Ergebnisse der Online-Befragung aus dem Forschungsprojekt “ViTaL”. Forum Logopädie 34(6), 36–40 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  47. Tar-Mahomed, Z., Kater, K.A.: The perspectives of speech-language pathologists: Providing teletherapy to patients with speech, language and swallowing difficulties during a COVID-19 context. S. Afr. J. Commun. Disord. 69(2), e1–e7 (2022). https://doi.org/10.4102/sajcd.v69i2.902

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Gerber, S.M., et al.: Therapist-guided tablet-based telerehabilitation for patients with aphasia: Proof-of-concept and usability study. JMIR Rehabilit. Assist. Technol. 6(1), e13163 (2019). https://doi.org/10.2196/13163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Barthel, M., Schwinn, S., Einfeldt, A., Borgetto, B., Leinweber, J.: Digitalisierungschancen nutzen! Kernaussagen und Empfehlungen für die Nutzung von Videotherapie in der ambulanten logopädischen/sprachtherapeutischen Versorgung (Kurzfassung). Forum Logopädie 35(2), 49–50 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  50. Gradinger, F., et al.: Values associated with public involvement in health and social care research: A narrative review. Health Expect. 18(5), 661–675 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Kitzing, P., Maier, A., Åhlander, V.L.: Automatic speech recognition (ASR) and its use as a tool for assessment or therapy of voice, speech, and language disorders. Logoped. Phoniatr. Vocol. 34(2), 91–96 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1080/14015430802657216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Jamal, N., Shanta, S., Mahmud, F., Sha’abani, M.N.A.H.: Automatic speech recognition (ASR) based approach for speech therapy of aphasic patients: A review. AIP Conf. Proc. 1883(1), 020028 (2017). AIP Publishing LLC

    Google Scholar 

  53. Schulz, L. (2021). Differenzierte Arbeitsblätter für den Deutschunterricht erstellen. In: Schulz, L., Krstoski, I. (Eds.) Diklusive Lernwelten. Zeitgemäßes Lernen für Schüler:innen. Visual, Dornstadt

    Google Scholar 

  54. Kujala, S., Kauppinen, M., Lehtola, L., Kojo, T.: The role of user involvement in requirements quality and project success. In: 13th IEEE International Conference on Requirements Engineering (RE’05), pp. 75–84. IEEE (2005)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katharina Giordano .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Appendix

Appendix

Author(s)

Topic

Study Type

Target Group

Barthel et al. (2021)

Recommendations for video therapy in SLT

Practical guide

All SLT target groups

Bhattarai et al. (2022)

Challenges in Telepractice for SLTs & Audiologists

Cross-sectional survey

Audiologists & SLTs

Bilda et al. (2014)

Teletherapy in Aphasia

Study protocol

Adults with aphasia

Brennan et al. (2004)

Effect of Telerehabilitation

on Story Retelling

Comparative Study

Brain-Injured Subjects

Cacciante et al. (2021)

Telerehabilitation for people with aphasia

Review & Meta-analysis

Adults with aphasia

Cherney et al. (2021)

Web-based Oral Reading for

Language in Aphasia

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Adults with aphasia

Cordella et al. (2022)

Dosage frequency effects in self-managed digital therapy

Retrospective Cohort Study

individuals with poststroke speech, language, and cognitive deficits

Gerber et al. (2019)

Development & evaluation of an tablet-based telerehabilitation system

Usability Study

Adults with aphasia

Guo et al. (2017)

Aphasia assessment via an iPad-based app

RCT

Adults with aphasia

Hill et al. (2009)

Using telerehabilitation to assess apraxia of

speech in adults

Comparative Study

Adults with acquired apraxia of speech

Keidel et al. (2017)

Poststroke telerehabilitation

Review

Adults with poststroke aphasia/dysarthrophonia

Kesav et al. (2017)

Effectiveness of an add-on computer-based therapy software

RCT

Adults with early poststroke aphasia

Kurland et al. (2014)

Effectiveness of a tablet-based home practice program

Pre-post-study

Adults with aphasia

Kurland et al. (2018)

Effectiveness of a tablet-based home practice program

Pre-post-study

Adults with aphasia

Knepley et al. (2020)

Telerehabilitation for stroke-related deficits

Review

Stroke survivors

Lauer (2020)

SLTs’ experiences with teletherapy

Qualitative study

SLTs

Laver et al. (2020)

Telerehabilitation services for stroke

Review

Stroke survivors

Liu et al. (2022)

Effectiveness of a computer-assisted executive function training

RCT

Adults with aphasia

Macoir et al. (2017)

Synchronous telespeech therapy on functional communication

Quasi-Experimental study

Adults with aphasia

Mallet et al. (2016)

Feasibility of a Tablet-Based Rehabilitation Intervention

Feasability study

Adults with poststroke communication deficits

Øra et al. (2018)

Telerehabilitation for aphasia

RCT protocol

Adults with aphasia

Palmer et al. (2019)

Evaluating self-managed computerised SLT

RCT

Adults with aphasia

Peñaloza et al. (2021)

Telerehabilitation for Word Retrieval

Deficits

Retrospective comparative study

Bilinguals with aphasia

Ruiter et al. (2016)

Evaluation of the teletherapy application e-REST

Single subject study

Adults with aphasia

Sarfo et al. (2018)

Telerehabilitation poststroke

Systematic review

Stroke survivors

Schwinn et al. (2020a)

Video therapy in outpatient SLT

Review & quantitative survey

SLTs

Schwinn et al. (2020b)

Video therapy in outpatient SLT

Quantitative survey

SLTs

Stark & Warburton (2022)

Self-delivered iPad speech therapy

Crossover study

Adults with expressive aphasia

Steele et al. (2014)

Combining teletherapy and online language exercises

Pre-post-study

Adults with aphasia

Tar-Mahomed et al. (2022)

Perspectives of SLTs on providing teletherapy

Qualitative study

SLTs

Weidner & Lowman (2020)

Review of the

literature regarding adult SLT telepractice services

Systematic review

Adult SLT patients

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Giordano, K., Wonschik, M., Leinweber, J. (2023). Building an Online Platform for Speech and Language Therapy in Germany: Users Needs and Requirements. In: Antona, M., Stephanidis, C. (eds) Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction. HCII 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14021. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35897-5_39

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35897-5_39

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-35896-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-35897-5

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics