COMPARE- Constraint Induced Or Multi-Modal Aphasia Rehabilitation: An RCT Of Therapy For Stroke Related Chronic Aphasia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,035,668.00
Summary
COMPARE is a 3 arm national randomised controlled trial comparing two types of intensive speech pathology treatment to usual care, for people with language disability 6 months to 3 years following stroke. After stratification by aphasia severity, participants are randomised to Multi-modality Aphasia Therapy, Constraint Induced Aphasia Therapy, or usual care. Cognitive, language, and speech assessments at baseline will enable sophisticated predictors of treatment responsiveness to be defined.
Aphasia is a devastating language and communication disorder that occurs in up to 40% of all stroke patients and often results in lifelong disability. This project will determine whether individuals who listen to music daily in addition to receiving usual care, show a better recovery of language than those who only receive usual care. The effect of music listening on cognition, depression, and brain structure and function will be investigated to identify how music stimulates language recovery.
Very Early Rehabilitation In SpEech: An RCT Of Aphasia Therapy After Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$742,000.00
Summary
Aphasia affects one in three stroke survivors. It interferes with talking, understanding speech, reading and writing. Aphasia is devastating. Research suggests that very early aphasia therapy improves recovery of talking and understanding. However, over 70% of people with aphasia do not get very early treatment. This study promotes a “use it” or “lose it” approach to brain recovery and aims to show that very early aphasia therapy is beneficial and cost effective.
Up to 40% of stroke survivors have aphasia (disturbance or loss of language) and of these, 60% will still be aphasic 12 months post-onset. Up until now, it has not been possible to predict aphasia recovery or response to treatment. This research will use clinical measures and brain imaging to develop better predictors of aphasia recovery.
A Prospective Study Of Language Impairment And Recovery Following Surgery For Brain Tumours
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$861,342.00
Summary
This multi-site project will investigate the incidence and nature of post-operative language difficulties (aphasia) in patients following surgery for left hemisphere primary brain tumours. It will provide comprehensive data concerning risk factors for post-surgical aphasia in Australian patients, in addition to important information about the brain lesions responsible for its various clinical presentations. This information will be used to generate recommendations for clinical practice.
Missing Voices: Communication Difficulties After Stroke And Traumatic Brain Injury In Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$655,310.00
Summary
Acquired communication disorder (ACD) is a common result of stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and has a devastating impact on victims’ everyday lives. Stroke and TBI occur more than twice as frequently in Indigenous as in non-Indigenous populations, but current uptake of communication rehabilitation services is low and long term outcomes for the individuals are unknown. This Australian first study will examine the extent and impact of ACD in urban and rural Indigenous Australians.
Preventing Depression And Reducing The Impact Of Aphasia In Stroke Patients And Their Caregivers A Year Post Onset Via A Brief Early Intervention: A Cluster Randomised Control Trial Of The Action Success Knowledge (ASK) Program.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,327,820.00
Summary
Loss of language after stroke (aphasia) leads to problems with understanding, talking, reading and writing. Aphasia often leads to depression and poorer wellbeing for the person with aphasia and the caregiver. Our research has a) identified what it takes to live successfully with aphasia, b) translated the results to a program called ASK, and c) piloted ASK with promising outcomes in reducing symptoms of depression. We will measure the impact of ASK at 12 month post stroke.