Computerised aphasia therapy RCT (Big CACTUS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cost effectiveness of aphasia computer treatment versus usual stimulation or attention control long term post stroke (Big CACTUS)
IRAS ID
138568
Contact name
Rebecca Palmer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sheffield
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN68798818
Research summary
Aphasia is a communication disorder often caused by stroke. It can affect the ability to understand what is said, the ability to produce correct words and the ability to read and write. People with aphasia rarely receive treatment from NHS speech and language therapists for more than 3 months. It has been established that people with aphasia can continue to improve their communication with prolonged treatment (beyond 12 months). However this is rarely available. Surveys indicate that people with aphasia and their families often feel abandoned when therapy is discontinued and want to continue making efforts to improve (Stroke Survey 2006). Step-by-Step is a computer program designed to help people to practise exercises to improve their ability to find the correct words when they are talking. Following a successful pilot, this study aims to compare computer therapy with attention control (puzzle books) and usual care to see if use of computer software with assistance from a volunteer/speech therapy assistant can improve the ability of people with aphasia to talk. This research will establish whether people with aphasia can continue to improve their ability to talk after completion of traditional NHS therapy, and whether this can be achieved cost effectively by offering computer treatment at home. Potential benefits to patients include the opportunity for continued treatment and thus improved ability to talk. It could also give patients independence and control over their therapy. The NHS would benefit by being able to support a long term aphasia treatment services without increasing demand on therapy resources.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/YH/0377
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jan 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion