40 Participants Needed

Group Language Therapy for Aphasia

DM
PC
Overseen ByPortia Carr, Ph.D
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Arkansas
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

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

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It might be best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Language intervention with group sessions and independent tasks for aphasia?

Research shows that group language therapy can significantly improve communication skills in people with aphasia, with studies indicating improvements in language abilities and social interactions. Group therapy has been found to be as effective as individual therapy in enhancing language skills, and it can also help expand social networks and community access.12345

Is group language therapy for aphasia safe for humans?

The research does not specifically address safety concerns, but group language therapy for aphasia is generally considered safe as it involves non-invasive communication exercises led by trained professionals.26789

How does group language therapy for aphasia differ from other treatments?

Group language therapy for aphasia is unique because it focuses on improving communication through group interaction and discussion, rather than targeting specific language deficits individually. This approach not only helps enhance communication skills but also reduces social isolation by allowing participants to practice in a social setting.124510

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of the study is to examine the impact of group participation on adults with aphasia. Participants will complete a standard pre-and post-assessment of language abilities (speech, comprehension, reading, and/or writing). Then participants will attend 90-minute weekly reading group sessions during an academic semester.

Research Team

DM

Dana Moser, Ph.D

Principal Investigator

University of Arkansas

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 who were proficient in English before having a stroke that led to aphasia, impacting their language abilities. They must have good enough vision and hearing for assessments but can't join if they had childhood speech issues, major psychiatric illnesses, cognitive impairments, or other neurological disorders.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with aphasia as an adult.
Pre-morbid proficient speaker of English
Vision and hearing sufficient to complete assessments

Exclusion Criteria

You did not have trouble speaking or understanding language when you were a child.
I have no major psychiatric, cognitive, or neurological issues.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Pre-assessment

Participants complete initial assessment and pre-testing of language abilities

1-2 weeks
4-5 visits (in-person)

Treatment

Participants attend weekly 90-minute reading group sessions and complete independent reading assignments

7-12 weeks
7-12 visits (in-person), 7-12 independent sessions

Post-assessment

Participants complete post-testing to assess changes in language abilities

1 week
1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in language skills and quality of life after treatment

1 week

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Language intervention with group sessions and independent tasks
Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of group sessions focused on improving reading and writing skills in individuals with aphasia due to stroke. Participants will undergo language ability assessments before and after attending weekly 90-minute reading group sessions for an academic semester.
Participant Groups
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Reading GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
All participants in this group will receive language intervention within weekly group sessions and independent tasks with emphasis on improving reading and writing skills among persons with aphasia.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Arkansas

Lead Sponsor

Trials
500
Recruited
153,000+

Findings from Research

In a 4-month study involving 24 adults with chronic aphasia, those who received group communication treatment showed significant improvements in both communicative and linguistic performance compared to those who did not receive treatment.
Participants demonstrated notable progress after just 2 months of treatment, and their improvements were maintained even after a follow-up period without treatment, indicating the lasting benefits of the intervention.
The efficacy of group communication treatment in adults with chronic aphasia.Elman, RJ., Bernstein-Ellis, E.[2022]
Both individual and group therapy significantly improved language abilities in aphasic patients after a left hemisphere stroke, indicating that both treatment methods are effective.
Individual treatment led to better overall performance on the Porch Index of Communicative Ability compared to group therapy, although no significant differences were found on other language measures, suggesting that while individual therapy may have advantages, both approaches are beneficial.
Veterans Administration cooperative study on aphasia: a comparison of individual and group treatment.Wertz, RT., Collins, MJ., Weiss, D., et al.[2019]
In a 6-week group therapy program for three individuals with aphasia, only one participant showed significant improvement in communication skills, specifically in discourse ratings, while the other two showed no notable changes.
The study suggests that the group treatment format may not be effective for enhancing linguistic abilities in people with aphasia, and highlights challenges in measuring improvements in connected speech.
An Exploration of the Impact of Group Treatment for Aphasia on Connected Speech.Mason, C., Nickels, L., McDonald, B.[2021]

References

The efficacy of outpatient and community-based aphasia group interventions: a systematic review. [2018]
The efficacy of group communication treatment in adults with chronic aphasia. [2022]
A prospective, randomized, parallel group, controlled study of the effect of intensity of speech and language therapy on early recovery from poststroke aphasia. [2022]
Veterans Administration cooperative study on aphasia: a comparison of individual and group treatment. [2019]
An Exploration of the Impact of Group Treatment for Aphasia on Connected Speech. [2021]
Communicating simply, but not too simply: Reporting of participants and speech and language interventions for aphasia after stroke. [2022]
Two to Tango or the More the Merrier? A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Group Size in Aphasia Conversation Treatment on Standardized Tests. [2020]
RELEASE: a protocol for a systematic review based, individual participant data, meta- and network meta-analysis, of complex speech-language therapy interventions for stroke-related aphasia. [2023]
Intensity of aphasia therapy: evidence and efficacy. [2021]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Group Conversation Treatment on Monologic Discourse in Aphasia. [2023]
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