Enhancing communication in aphasia through technology and education
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Enhancing communication in aphasia through technology and education
IRAS ID
155830
Contact name
Celia Woolf
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
City University London
Research summary
Aphasia is an acquired language disorder, usually caused by stroke. It affects speaking, reading, writing and comprehension. Problems in aphasia vary from one person to another. Speech & language therapy can improve language and communication in aphasia. We are investigating the effects of speech & language therapy using computer technologies for people with aphasia, including whether changes in language and communication also improve social participation and quality of life. In addition, we are investigating whether an Online Conversation Partner Service helps to increase participation and reduce the social isolation experienced by many people with aphasia.
We will establish a specialist clinic for people with aphasia based at City University London. The clinic will provide technology enhanced therapy to 90 people with aphasia in East London. There will be three kinds of therapy, focused on speaking, reading, or writing. Individual participants will be offered the therapy that best suits their needs. Each therapy approach involves activities carried out on a computer, and includes both face to face therapy sessions with a speech and language therapist and home practice tasks. Participants' language, communication, social participation, and quality of life will be measured before and after treatment to find out whether therapy results in gains. Assessments will be repeated after a further period without treatment to explore whether gains are maintained. We will also observe and interview participants to explore their views of technology enhanced therapy and the support that they need to use the technology.
A further 50 people will receive Online Conversation Partner sessions. These involve conversations with a trained partner carried out over the internet, aimed at improving communication confidence, reducing social isolation and increasing social participation. Assessments will be carried out before and after involvement in these sessions, and eight weeks later, to measure effects on communication, participation and quality of life.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1531
Date of REC Opinion
27 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion