Modulating Intensity and Dosage of Aphasia Scripts

NCT04138940 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: STU002096181R01DC016979-01A1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 85
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how changing conditions of speech-language treatment (namely, amount of repetition and distribution of practice schedule) affects the language outcome of participants with aphasia following a stroke. Using a computer based speech and language therapy program, participants will practice conversational scripts that are either short or long. Participants will practice for either 2 weeks (5 days a week) or for 5 weeks (2 days a week).

Conditions

Aphasia

Keywords

Stroke; Speech and Language Therapy; Speech and Language Treatment; Communication Disorders; Language Disorders

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Generalization - Conversation with a communication partner using the lines of the trained script

  Number of correct information units produced during conversation with communication partner (speech-language pathologist) using the lines of the trained script.

  Change from baseline to immediately post treatment

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Generalization - Conversation with a communication partner about the topic of the trained script

  Change from baseline to immediately post treatment

• Acquisition of trained script - Accuracy

  Change from baseline to immediately post treatment

• Acquisition of trained script - Rate

  Change from baseline to immediately post treatment

Other Outcomes (4)

• Maintenance - Conversation with a communication partner using the lines of the trained script

  Change from baseline to six weeks post treatment.

• Maintenance - Conversation with a communication partner about the topic of the trained script

  Change from baseline to six weeks post treatment.

• Maintenance of trained script - Accuracy

  Change from baseline to six weeks post treatment

Study Arms (4)

Distributed, Short Script

EXPERIMENTAL

Participant practices for 1 hour, 2 days a week for 5 weeks using a 5 sentence-long script.

Behavioral: Script Training

Distributed, Long Script

EXPERIMENTAL

Participant practices for 1 hour, 2 days a week for 5 weeks using a 10 sentence-long script.

Behavioral: Script Training

Massed, Short Script

EXPERIMENTAL

Participant practices for 1 hour, 5 days a week for 2 weeks using a 5 sentence-long script.

Behavioral: Script Training

Massed, Long Script

EXPERIMENTAL

Participant practices for 1 hour, 5 days a week for 2 weeks using a 10 sentence-long script.

Behavioral: Script Training

Interventions

Script Training BEHAVIORAL

Participant uses a computer program to practice scripts with a virtual therapist.

Distributed, Long Script; Distributed, Short Script; Massed, Long Script; Massed, Short Script

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Men or women with diagnosis of aphasia
• Left-hemisphere stroke
• Aphasia Quotient score between 40-80 on the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised
• At least 6 months post stroke
• Completed at least eighth grade education
• Premorbidly literate in English
• Visual acuity no worse than 20/100 corrected in the better eye
• Auditory acuity no worse than 30 dB HL on pure tone testing, aided in better ear
• Not receiving speech-language therapy at the time of study

You may not qualify if:

• Any other neurological condition (other than cerebral vascular disease) that could potentially affect cognition or speech, such as Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Dementia, traumatic brain injury
• Any significant psychiatric history prior to the stroke, such as severe major depression or psychotic disorder requiring hospitalization; subjects with mood disorders who are currently stable on treatment will be considered
• Active substance abuse

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: lead
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): collaborator
• Northwestern University: collaborator
• University of Colorado, Boulder: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Shirley Ryan Abilitylab

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

Location

Related Links

• Center for Aphasia Research \& Treatment

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Aphasia; Stroke; Communication Disorders; Speech; Language Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Speech Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Verbal Behavior; Communication; Behavior

Study Officials

• Leora Cherney, PhD, CCC-SLP

  Shirley Ryan Abilitylab, Northwestern University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Masking Details: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 23, 2019
• First Posted: October 25, 2019
• Study Start: September 21, 2020
• Primary Completion: December 4, 2024
• Study Completion: December 4, 2024
• Last Updated: May 28, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)