Communication Bridge for Primary Progressive Aphasia

(CB3_1 Trial)

Overseen By Emily Cummings

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Chicago

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Outside speech therapy, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 5 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a program called Communication Bridge™ to assist people with mild to moderate primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a condition that impairs communication ability. The goal is to evaluate how well this treatment improves communication and daily interactions for individuals with PPA and their communication partners, such as family or friends. Participants must have PPA, use English daily, and be comfortable with technology like video calls. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that may enhance communication strategies for those with PPA.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the Communication Bridge is safe for individuals with primary progressive aphasia?

Research shows that the Communication Bridge™ program is safe for people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA). In earlier studies, participants using this program reported no serious side effects. The program enhances communication between people with PPA and their partners through activities tailored to their needs. As it is not a medication, it typically carries fewer risks. Although more research is needed to confirm its long-term safety, current studies suggest it is well-tolerated. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Communication Bridge™ for primary progressive aphasia because it offers a unique, participation-focused approach. Unlike traditional speech therapy that might concentrate solely on language skills, Communication Bridge™ involves both the person with aphasia and their communication partner, making it a more inclusive and supportive intervention. It uses personally meaningful stimuli in therapy, which can enhance engagement and outcomes. This model is based on the Living with Aphasia: Framework for Outcome Measurement (A-FROM), providing a structured yet personalized path for those living with this challenging condition.

What evidence suggests that the Communication Bridge is effective for primary progressive aphasia?

Research shows that the Communication Bridge program, provided to participants in this trial, can assist people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Studies have found that this program enhances communication confidence and quality of life for both patients and their communication partners. People with PPA and their partners have benefited from these speech-language therapy sessions. Another study found that non-drug treatments like Communication Bridge can greatly enhance the quality of life for those with PPA. Overall, evidence suggests that the program could help people with PPA communicate better and feel more confident in their interactions. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Emily Roglaski, PhD

Principal Investigator

Professor of Neurology

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with mild to moderate primary progressive aphasia (PPA) or related conditions. Participants must speak English, have good enough vision and hearing for daily tasks, be able to use video conferencing and a web app, and not be too depressed based on a scale. Their communication partners also need to meet similar criteria.

Inclusion Criteria

I can use video calls and the Communication Bridge™ app, with or without help.

I can hear well enough to talk with others in a noisy place.

Mild-moderate PPA informed by a structured interview with a speech-language pathologist and a standardized testing battery.

Exclusion Criteria

My dementia diagnosis is not Primary Progressive Aphasia.

I am enrolled in a speech therapy program while participating in this study.

Communication partners will be excluded if they have a pre-existing communication impairment that would affect study participation (e.g., aphasia, dementia) Medical records will be requested and reviewed to determine eligibility

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Communication Bridge™, a multi-component, participation-focused, dyadic intervention

5 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Communication Bridge

Trial Overview

The study tests the 'Communication Bridge' intervention's effectiveness in improving communication abilities in individuals with PPA. It involves using evidence-based methods delivered through technology like video calls and a specialized web application.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Communication Bridge™ Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants receive Communication Bridge™, a multi-component, participation-focused, dyadic intervention in which both the person with PPA and their co-enrolled communication partner are intervention recipients. Communication Bridge™ is modelled on the Living with Aphasia: Framework for Outcome Measurement (A-FROM) and the Care Pathway Model that was developed for persons living with primary progressive aphasia. Consistent with participation-focused intervention models personally salient training stimuli are incorporated into all therapy activities in the Experimental arm.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Chicago

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,086

Recruited

844,000+

Western University, Canada

Collaborator

Trials

270

Recruited

62,500+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A group treatment model for individuals with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) was developed, incorporating strategies from augmentative communication and aphasia rehabilitation, and was delivered over 6 weeks to enhance communication skills.

Participants reported significant improvements in their understanding of PPA, increased use of multimodal communication, and greater confidence in daily activities, indicating that group training is an effective approach for supporting individuals with this condition.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Group Communication Treatment for Individuals with PPA and Their Partners. Mooney, A., Beale, N., Fried-Oken, M.[2019]

The Communication Bridge Care Model is designed to enhance communication and quality of life for individuals with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) through person-centered care and tailored communication strategies.

This multicomponent approach incorporates technology and focuses on maximizing functional communication, offering practical applications across various treatment settings to support individuals with PPA.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Life Participation Approach to Primary Progressive Aphasia Intervention. Rogalski, EJ., Khayum, B.[2020]

A study involving 25 participants (12 individuals with primary progressive aphasia and 13 caregivers) showed that attending an education and support session significantly improved caregivers' knowledge about PPA and coping strategies.

Follow-up interviews revealed that caregivers felt less isolated and more supported, highlighting the importance of these sessions as a valuable part of care for individuals with PPA.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Primary Progressive Aphasia Education and Support Groups: A Clinical Evaluation. Taylor-Rubin, C., Azizi, L., Croot, K., et al.[2020]

The study developed a comprehensive training program called 'Better Conversations with primary progressive aphasia' for speech and language therapists, which includes seven online modules and a manual for communication partner training, based on extensive stakeholder consultation and co-production.

Key components of the training were identified, such as the use of video feedback and understanding the timing of interventions, which were informed by focus groups with individuals affected by primary progressive aphasia and their families, ensuring the program is tailored to their needs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using the Medical Research Council framework and public involvement in the development of a communication partner training intervention for people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA): Better Conversations with PPA. Volkmer, A., Spector, A., Swinburn, K., et al.[2021]

The pilot study of the Better Conversations with PPA (BCPPA) program involved 18 participants with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and their communication partners, showing that the intervention was well-received and had a high treatment fidelity of 87.2%.

Results indicated that BCPPA led to positive changes in conversation behaviors and communication goals, suggesting it is a promising intervention for improving communication in individuals with PPA, paving the way for a larger randomized controlled trial.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Results from a randomised controlled pilot study of the Better Conversations with Primary Progressive Aphasia (BCPPA) communication partner training program for people with PPA and their communication partners. Volkmer, A., Walton, H., Swinburn, K., et al.[2023]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11947768/

A randomized controlled trial of communication intervention

Ninety‐five dyads were randomized into one of two speech‐language intervention arms. Primary outcomes included communication confidence and ...

2.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40145390/

Efficacy of Communication Bridge-2 for primary progressive ...

Here, outcomes are provided from Communication Bridge-2 (CB2), a speech-language randomized controlled trial (RCT) for PPA. Methods: CB2 is the first Phase 2, ...

3.

uchicagomedicine.org

uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/research-and-discoveries-articles/2025/april/primary-progressive-aphasia-telemedicine-clinical-trial-results

Global telemedicine therapy for dementia shows benefit

Clinical trial results indicate that people living with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and their communication partners benefit from remote speech language ...

4.

alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.14168

Communication Bridge‐2 randomized controlled trial ...

Non-pharmacological interventions may offer significant benefits to the quality of life for persons with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and ...

5.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06191198

NCT06191198 | Communication Bridge 3 Study

This study will use a randomized controlled trial design to evaluate the effect of two evidence-based treatments for adults with mild-moderate Primary ...

6.

trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com

trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-022-06162-7

Communication Bridge™-2 (CB2): an NIH Stage 2 ...

The CB2 trial will provide Level 2 evidence [13] regarding the efficacy of the Communication Bridge™ intervention delivered in a telehealth ...

7.

mdpi.com

mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/9/3063

Safety and Efficacy of Different Therapeutic Interventions ...

Background: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative disorder that worsens over time without appropriate treatment.