The Wangi (talking) project: A feasibility study of a rehabilitation model for aboriginal people with acquired communication disorders after stroke

Abstract

Purpose: Aboriginal Australians are under-represented in stroke rehabilitation services and rehabilitation practices that are sensitive to the needs of Aboriginal people are not currently available. This project tested the feasibility and acceptability of a rehabilitation model and approach to therapy with Aboriginal people with acquired communication disorders post-stroke.

Method: Eight Aboriginal people with acquired communication disorders post-stroke were recruited to this study. Sixteen treatment sessions were provided twice weekly at the person’s place of residence by a speech-language pathologist and Aboriginal co-worker. Feasibility was measured by analysing the number of sessions conducted jointly by the speech-language pathologist and Aboriginal co-worker and participant attendance. Participant acceptability was measured through the analysis of a post-therapy questionnaire. The Aboriginal co-worker’s and speech-language pathologists’ perceptions of the acceptability were collected through semi structured interviews.

Result: Across all sessions 84.2% were attended by the Aboriginal co-worker and speech-language pathologist and seven of the eight participants completed all prescribed sessions. Positive feedback was provided by participants, the Aboriginal co-worker and speech-language pathologist on the key components of the programme.

Conclusion: The rehabilitation model used within Wangi appears to be feasible and acceptable to participants and therapists. It provides direction to improve the quality of care for Aboriginal stroke survivors.

RAS ID

29155

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

6-1-2019

ISSN

1754-9515

Volume

21

Issue

3

Funding Information

This work was supported by a Stroke Foundation Seed Grant

PubMed ID

31096803

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences / Kurongkurl Katitjin

Copyright

subscription content

Publisher

Taylor and Francis

Comments

Ciccone, N., Armstrong, E., Hersh, D., Adams, M., & McAllister, M. (2019). The Wangi (talking) project: A feasibility study of a rehabilitation model for Aboriginal people with acquired communication disorders after stroke. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 21(3) 305 - 316. Available here

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1080/17549507.2019.1595146