Abstract
BackgroundPeople with post-stroke aphasia commonly receive speech-language therapy (SLT) when they are admitted to hospitals. Commonly, these patients reported communication difficulties in in-patient settings. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has been reported as an effective treatment approach to improve communication effectiveness, language performance, decreasing depression, and improving quality of life for this population. However, little evidence has demonstrated the use of AAC intervention (AACT) in early recovery from people with post-stroke aphasia in in-patient rehabilitation settings for improving these patients’ communication effectiveness. The pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) will explore the effectiveness and feasibility of including AACT in regular SLT for in-patient people with post-stroke aphasia.MethodThis pilot RCT is a single-blind, randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups. Both groups receive a 1-h treatment session, including either both AACT and SLT or SLT only for ten consecutive days. We aim to include 22 in-patient participants with post-stroke aphasia in each group. Participants will be assessed at pre- and post-intervention and 2 weeks after intervention. The primary outcomes are the ability of communication measured by the communication of basic needs subtest in the Functional Assessment of Communication Skills for Adult (FACS) and the overall language performance measured by the Chinese Standard Aphasia Battery (ABC). The secondary outcomes include a 10-min conversation, the 10-item Hospital version of the Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire (SADQH-10), the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL), and a patient and caregiver satisfaction questionnaire.DiscussionThis pilot RCT will contribute to new scientific evidence to the field of aphasia rehabilitation in early recovery during the in-patient period. The paper describes the trial, which will explore the effect of combining AACT and SLT and SLT only, our choice of primary and secondary outcome measures, and proposed analyses. The study results will provide information for implementing AACT in the regular in-patient SLT of future RCTs.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry database (ChiCTR) ChiCTR2000028870. Registered on 5 January 2020
Highlights
People with post-stroke aphasia commonly receive speech-language therapy (SLT) when they are admitted to hospitals
This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) will contribute to new scientific evidence to the field of aphasia rehabilitation in early recovery during the in-patient period
The paper describes the trial, which will explore the effect of combining AAC intervention (AACT) and SLT and SLT only, our choice of primary and secondary outcome measures, and proposed analyses
Summary
This protocol describes a pragmatic pilot randomized controlled trial that can provide a valuable contribution to people with post-stroke moderate to severe aphasia in in-patient rehabilitation settings. AACT may increase people with aphasia’s motivation to communicate in various situations and have better long-term participation outcomes They were more active when making their healthcare decisions, experiencing increased participation in life events, and discovering new social roles [19]. Since the research evidence of the effectiveness of AACT in in-patient settings is limited, the trial’s results will provide new insight into implementing AACT in actual clinical practice. Trial status This trial is registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry database (ChiCTR) as ChiCTR2000028870 on 5 January 2020, and the current protocol is the first version.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
