Article

OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial comparing
face to face and remotely delivered word finding therapy for people with aphasia.
DESIGN: 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. SETTING: A University
lab and NHS outpatient service. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one people with aphasia
following left hemisphere stroke. INTERVENTIONS: 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. OUTCOME MEASURES: 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.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS