title: Combining Teletherapy and On-line Language Exercises in the Treatment of Chronic Aphasia: An Outcome Study.
abstract: We report a 12-week outcome study in which nine persons with long-term chronic aphasia received individual and group speech-language teletherapy services, and also used on-line language exercises to practice from home between therapy sessions. Participants were assessed at study initiation and completion using the Western Aphasia Battery, a portion of the Communicative Effectiveness Index, ASHA National Outcome Measurement System, and RIC Communication Confidence Rating Scale for Aphasia; additionally participants were polled regarding satisfaction at discharge. Pretreatment and post-treatment means were calculated and compared, and matched t-tests were used to determine significance of improvements following treatment, with patterns of independent on-line activity analyzed. Analysis of scores shows that means improved on most measures following treatment, generally significantly: the WAB AQ improved +3.5 (p = .057); the CETI Overall (of items administered) - +17.8 (p = .01), and CCRSA Overall - + 10.4 (p = .0004). Independent work increased with time, and user satisfaction following participation was high.
authors.affiliation: LINGRAPHICA, PRINCETON, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.affiliation: SPEECHWORKS INC., WINNIPEG, MB, CANADA.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.affiliation: SNYDER CENTER FOR APHASIA LIFE ENHANCEMENT, BALTIMORE, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCall
authors.affiliation: LINGRAPHICA, PRINCETON, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haynes
keywords: Aphasia treatment; chronic aphasia; communication confidence; functional communication; impairment; on-line exercises; outcome improvements; speech-language pathology; telemedicine; telepractice; teletherapy