Table 2.

Summary and Description of Data Collection and Measurement

Concept/Variable	Measure	Time Points
Dependent		SE	NT	T1	T2	T3	T4	EP
Ease	Ease of Communication Patient Self-Rating	X			Xa		Xa
	Observer Rating			X	X	X	X
Quality	Observer Rating			X	X	X	X
Frequency	Observer Rating			X	X	X	X
Successfulness	Observer Rating			X	X	X	X
Potential Covariates
Level of Consciousness	Confusion Assessment Method [38]	X		X	X	X	X
	Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale[39]	X		X	X	X	X
Severity of Illness	Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score[40]	X			Xa		Xa
Premorbid Speech-Language Function	National Outcomes Measurement System (NOMS)[23]	X
Current Communication Function	Lowenstein Communication Scale (LCS)[41]	X		X		X
Motor Function	Mobility Subscale of LCS	X
Nurse Contact Time	Computerized Patient Record							X
Time Elapsed since Training	Nurse Demographic Data Sheet			Xb	Xb	Xb	Xb
Descriptive Data
AAC-Related Skills	Lowenstein Communication Scale (LCS)	X			Xa		Xa
Patient Characteristics	Patient Demographic Data Sheet	X
Physical Restraint	Observation Record	X		X	X	X	X
Nurse Characteristics	Nurse Demographic Data Sheet	X	Xb					X
Perceptions of Communication	Nurse Communication Survey	X	Xb					X

Key:

X_a = Daily

X_b = Phase II & III Cohorts only

SE = Study Enrollment

NT = Nurse Training

EP = End of study participation

T₁ = Day one, morning

T₂ = Day one, afternoon

T₃ = Day two, morning

T₄ = Day two, afternoon