A comparison of remote therapy, face to face therapy and an attention control intervention for people with aphasia: a quasi-randomised controlled feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE
To test the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial comparing face to face and remotely delivered word finding therapy for people with aphasia.


METHODS
A quasi-randomised controlled feasibility study comparing remote therapy delivered from a University lab, remote therapy delivered from a clinical site, face to face therapy and an attention control condition.


METHODS
A University lab and NHS outpatient service.


METHODS
Twenty-one people with aphasia following left hemisphere stroke.


METHODS
Eight sessions of word finding therapy, delivered either face to face or remotely, were compared to an attention control condition comprising eight sessions of remotely delivered supported conversation. The remote conditions used mainstream video conferencing technology.


METHODS
Feasibility was assessed by recruitment and attrition rates, participant observations and interviews, and treatment fidelity checking. Effects of therapy on word retrieval were assessed by tests of picture naming and naming in conversation.


RESULTS
Twenty-one participants were recruited over 17 months, with one lost at baseline. Compliance and satisfaction with the intervention was good. Treatment fidelity was high for both remote and face to face delivery (1251/1421 therapist behaviours were compliant with the protocol). Participants who received therapy improved on picture naming significantly more than controls (mean numerical gains: 20.2 (remote from University); 41 (remote from clinical site); 30.8 (face to face); 5.8 (attention control); P <.001). There were no significant differences between groups in the assessment of conversation.


CONCLUSIONS
Word finding therapy can be delivered via mainstream internet video conferencing. Therapy improved picture naming, but not naming in conversation.
School of Health Sciences, City University London, UK.
Celia
C
Woolf
School of Health Sciences, City University London, UK.
Anna
A
Caute
School of Health Sciences, City University London, UK.
Zula
Z
Haigh
Centre for Human-Computer Interaction Design, City University London, UK.
Julia
J
Galliers
Centre for Human-Computer Interaction Design, City University London, UK.
Stephanie
S
Wilson
School of Health Sciences, City University London, UK.
Awurabena
A
Kessie
School of Health Sciences, City University London, UK.
Shashi
S
Hirani
Homerton University Hospital, London, UK.
Barbara
B
Hegarty
School of Health Sciences, City University London, UK J.Marshall@city.ac.uk.
Jane
J
Marshall
D000368:Aged; D001037:Aphasia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001288:Attention; D003142:Communication; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069350:Telerehabilitation
Aphasia; randomized controlled trial; rehabilitation; stroke; telerehabilitation