Aphasia Identification Cards for Aphasia

(PAUSE Trial)

Overseen By Holly Laws, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Disqualifiers: Language disorder, Hearing impairment, Intellectual disability, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

160 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if an aphasia ID card helps people better understand individuals with aphasia, a condition affecting language and speech. The study will compare two groups: one viewing the ID card and one without it. The ID card explains aphasia and requests patience, potentially aiding in understanding language errors and pauses. The trial seeks service workers who are comfortable with spoken and written English, hold a high school diploma, and have normal vision with or without glasses. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance communication for individuals with aphasia.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems unlikely, as the study focuses on understanding aphasia using ID cards and involves healthy volunteers.

What prior data suggests that aphasia identification cards are safe for use in this study?

Research has shown that aphasia identification cards are safe to use. These cards explain a person's condition by providing information about aphasia and offering tips for better communication. Since they don't involve medication or physical treatment, no side effects have been reported. They function like medical alert cards, helping others understand the condition. People with aphasia find these cards helpful as simple tools to improve communication. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Aphasia Identification Cards because they offer a new way to improve communication for people with aphasia. Unlike traditional speech therapy or communication devices, these cards provide a simple, portable tool that quickly informs others about a speaker’s condition and requests patience in communication. This approach could enhance understanding and reduce frustration in everyday interactions, making life a bit easier for those with aphasia.

What evidence suggests that aphasia ID cards are effective for improving understanding of people with aphasia?

Research has shown that aphasia ID cards can improve interactions for people with aphasia, a condition that impairs communication. In this trial, some participants will use aphasia ID cards, which studies have found help others understand and be more patient with individuals who have aphasia. By clearly explaining the person's condition and requesting patience, these cards help others grasp the communication challenges, reducing misunderstandings and enhancing overall communication. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jennifer Mack, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for service workers aged 18-59 with good English comprehension, a high school diploma or equivalent, and normal or corrected vision. It's not for those with hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, or a history of neurological disorders like stroke.

Inclusion Criteria

High school diploma or equivalency

Currently employed as a service worker

Understand spoken and written English well

Exclusion Criteria

Hearing impairment

Intellectual disability

Language disorder

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Single Session Intervention

Participants complete brief tests of vision, hearing, and thinking, listen to sentences produced by a speaker with aphasia while their eye movements are recorded, and complete a survey about the experience.

2 hours

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for comprehension accuracy and attitude changes post-intervention

45 minutes

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Aphasia Identification Cards

Trial Overview The study tests if aphasia ID cards help service workers understand people with aphasia better. Participants will listen to sentences from someone with aphasia and complete surveys about their experience in a single two-hour session.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Aphasia Identification Card Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will view an aphasia ID card for a speaker with aphasia. The card will disclose the speaker's aphasia, define aphasia, and request time to communicate.

Group II: No Card Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will not receive an intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Lead Sponsor

Trials

83

Recruited

3,474,000+

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborator

Trials

377

Recruited

190,000+

Citations

1. aphasia.org aphasia.org/aphasia-id-card-and-other-identification/

Aphasia ID Card and Other Identification Aphasia Identification Cards are a simple yet powerful tool to improve the daily experiences and interactions of individuals with aphasia.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06990997

Effects of Aphasia Identification Cards on Service Workers ... This project tests the central hypothesis that, by improving unfamiliar communication partners' attitudes, aphasia ID cards facilitate key language processes ...

3. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36137321/

The effect of an aphasia ID card on the processing ... Conclusions: Aphasia ID cards impacted listeners' processing of language produced by a speaker with nonfluent aphasia. Increased patience and ...

4. umass.edu umass.edu/public-health-sciences/news/mack-study-effects-aphasia-id-cards

Mack Receives Grant to Study Effects of Aphasia ... Mack's study will investigate whether service workers comprehend speakers with aphasia more accurately when they have first read an aphasia ID card.

5. stroke.org stroke.org/en/about-stroke/effects-of-stroke/communication-and-aphasia/stroke-and-aphasia/aphasia-id-card

Aphasia ID Card An aphasia ID card is a simple yet powerful tool to improve the daily interactions of people living with aphasia.

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06990997

Effects of Aphasia Identification Cards on Service Workers ... Aphasia ID cards contain written self-advocacy statements that disclose the speaker's aphasia, define aphasia, and provide guidance on how to communicate ...

7. hdsunflower.com hdsunflower.com/uk/personalized-aphasia-card.html

Personalized Aphasia Card This card can be personalised to meet your needs, you can add up to 5 icons that precisely describe the type of assistance you might require.

8. amazon.com amazon.com/Ahasia-Medical-Alert-Card-Black/dp/B0CPVZGYWJ

Aphasia Medical Alert Wallet Card - Communication Aid ... Intuitive Pictorial Communication Aids: Equipped with clear images for essential responses like YES, NO, DON'T UNDERSTAND, to facilitate non-verbal ...