Affiliations: [a] Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health, Heerlen, The Netherlands | [b] Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK | [c] Maastricht University, Research School CAPHRI, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: S.E.A. Stans, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health, Nieuw Eyckholt 300, 6419 DJ Heerlen, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 45 4006378: E-mail: steffy.stans@zuyd.nl.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Talking Mats™ is a framework developed to support communication with communication vulnerable people. OBJECTIVE: The objective was twofold: to provide an overview of the objectives, target groups and settings for which Talking Mats has been used (Part 1), and an overview of empirical scientific knowledge on the use of Talking Mats (Part 2). METHODS: In this scoping review scientific and grey literature was searched in PubMed, Cinahl, Psycinfo, Google, and Google Scholar. Articles that described characteristics of Talking Mats or its use were included. For Part 2, additional selection criteria were applied to focus on empirical scientific knowledge. RESULTS: The search yielded 73 publications in Part 1, 12 of which were included in Part 2. Talking Mats was used for functional objectives (e.g. goal setting) and to improve communication and involvement. Part 2 showed that Talking Mats had positive influences on technical communication, effectiveness of conversations, and involvement and decision making in conversations. However, the level of research evidence is limited. CONCLUSIONS:Talking Mats can be used to support conversations between professionals and communication vulnerable people. More research is needed to study the views of people who are communication vulnerable and to study the effects of Talking Mats.
Keywords: Communication, Talking Mats, augmentative and alternative communication, communication vulnerable people, scoping review, communication disability
