Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation
Volume
31
Issue
1
First Page
44
Last Page
56
PubMed ID
37036031
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
60129
Funders
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council / La Trobe University Postgraduate Research Scholarship
Grant Number
NHMRC Number : 1083010
Abstract
Background: High-intensity Constraint-Induced Aphasia Therapy Plus (CIAT-Plus) and Multi-Modality Aphasia Therapy (M-MAT) are effective interventions for chronic post-stroke aphasia but challenging to provide in clinical practice. Providing these interventions may be more feasible at lower intensities, but comparative evidence is lacking. We therefore explored feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the treatments at a lower intensity. Methods: A multisite, single-blinded, randomized Phase II trial was conducted within the Phase III COMPARE trial. Groups of participants with chronic aphasia from the usual care arm of the COMPARE trial were randomized to M-MAT or CIAT-Plus, delivered at the same dose as the COMPARE trial but at lower intensity (6 hours/week × 5 weeks rather than 15 hours/week × 2 weeks). Blinded assessors measured aphasia severity (Western Aphasia Battery-Revised Aphasia Quotient), word retrieval, connected speech, multimodal communication, functional communication, and quality of life immediately post interventions and after 12 weeks. Feasibility and acceptability were explored. Results: Of 70 eligible participants, 77% consented to the trial; 78% of randomized participants completed intervention and 98% of assessment visits were conducted. Fatigue and distress ratings were low with no related withdrawals. Adverse events related to the trial (n = 4) were mild in severity. Statistically significant treatment effects were demonstrated on word retrieval and functional communication and both interventions were equally effective. Conclusions: Low–moderateintensity CIAT-Plus and M-MAT were feasible and acceptable. Both interventions show preliminary efficacy at a low–moderate intensity. These results support a powered trial investigating these interventions at a low–moderate intensity.
DOI
10.1080/10749357.2023.2196765
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Pierce, J. E., OHalloran, R., Togher, L., Nickels, L., Copland, D., Godecke, E., ... & Rose, M. L. (2023). Acceptability, feasibility and preliminary efficacy of low-moderate intensity Constraint Induced Aphasia Therapy and Multi-Modality Aphasia Therapy in chronic aphasia after stroke. Topics in stroke rehabilitation, 31(1), 44-56. https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2023.2196765