The Role of Adaptive Coping Strategies in Speech Rehabilitation for Patients with Progressive Neurological Disorders

This study aimed to examine the role of adaptive coping strategies in enhancing speech rehabilitation outcomes for patients with progressive neurological disorders (PNDs) such as ALS, Parkinson’s disease, and MS, which often resulted in progressive speech impairment and reduced quality of life. Previous research highlighted the emotional and social challenges associated with PNDs, emphasizing the need for psychological support in rehabilitation programs. This study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional design with a sample of 120 adult PND patients undergoing speech therapy. Data were collected through self-reported surveys, including the Brief COPE Inventory, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), WHOQOL-BREF for quality of life, and therapist-rated Speech Intelligibility Rating Scale. Findings revealed that problem-focused coping significantly predicted improved speech intelligibility, resilience, and quality of life, while emotion-focused coping showed moderate positive effects, particularly on quality of life. The interaction between coping strategies indicated that combining problem- and emotion-focused approaches produced the best outcomes. These results underscored the value of integrating adaptive coping techniques in speech therapy to support both functional and psychological rehabilitation. Future research should consider longitudinal studies and explore qualitative insights into patient experiences to further understand adaptive coping in PND rehabilitation.