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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.
Neural Mechanisms Of Language Facilitation In Aphasia Due To Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$523,192.00
Summary
This project will assess the underlying neural mechanisms by which neurostimulation improves impaired language functions after stroke (aphasia). This will be accomplished by using a novel combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging and simultaneous transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) administered to different brain regions. These studies will provide crucial information necessary to optimise future clinical trials that combine tDCS with language therapy.
Improving Early Rehabilitation For Patients With Acute Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,782.00
Summary
The Australian stroke guidelines recommend that intensive rehabilitation (60 mins practice/day) should commence as soon as possible after stroke onset, however this rarely occurs in clinical practice. The proposed research will explore this evidence-practice gap, and develop a protocol to improve early rehabilitation for patients hospitalised with acute stroke. The early rehabilitation protocol will then be tested in four acute stroke units for safety and feasibility.
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.
Optimising Upper Limb Recovery Following Stroke: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of The Effects Of Botulinum Toxin-A Combined With Intensive Rehabilitation Compared To Botulinum Toxin-A Alone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,070,230.00
Summary
The devastating loss of movement in the hand after stroke could potentially be addressed, but we currently lack of research investigating treatment interventions. This randomised controlled trial will compare the routine interventions of botulinum toxin to botulinum toxin plus best-practice therapy for both cost and clinical outcome. Findings from this trial will provide the necessary information to make decisions about what will improve spasticity and function in the hand and arm after stroke.
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.
Effectiveness Of Occupational Therapy Homevisits To Improve Participation After Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,774,083.00
Summary
This randomized controlled trial will determine the effectiveness of occupational therapy pre-discharge homevisits for people after stroke, with health economic evaluation conducted alongside to determine the cost-benefits. Recruiting adults from Australian rehabilitation hospitals, this study is designed to provide guidance for hospitals, policy-makers and clinical practice guideline developers on whether occupational therapy homevisits improve the level of community participation after stroke.
A Network Of Sites And ‘up-skilled’ Therapists To Deliver Best Practice Stroke Rehabilitation Of The Upper Limb.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$955,910.00
Summary
We aim, through our partnership, to bring better therapy to more stroke survivors. Effective therapies are available to improve hand function but survivors are not currently receiving these. We will systematically address this evidence-practice gap using knowledge-transfer methods to up-skill therapists and change practice behaviours. A network of sites and up-skilled therapists will deliver this therapy and sustain change. A template will guide future translational activities.
Pushing And Pulling Evidence Into Practice: Implementing Best Practices In Upper Limb Movement Therapy After Acquired Brain Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$178,157.00
Summary
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is the leading cause of disability in adults in Australia. After ABI, many people are unable to use their upper limb (UL) to perform important, everyday tasks. While there is research evidence which has shown that movement therapy targeted at the UL will improve the likelihood of being able to use the UL after rehabilitation, many therapists do not currently provide sufficient UL movement therapy to patients. This practice gap will be addressed in this project.
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.