Communication and well-being outcomes of a hybrid service delivery model of intensive impairment-based treatment for aphasia in the hospital setting: a pilot study

Abstract

Purpose: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effects of an intensive hybrid service delivery model (i.e., combining face-to-face individual, computer and group therapy) on communication and well-being for people with aphasia (PWA) in the hospital setting.

Materials and methods: The study explored two different intensities of the hybrid model, 4 h/week (Hybrid-4) and 8 h/week (Hybrid-8) both for 8 weeks. Participants ranging from 1 month to 5 years post-onset were allocated using matched-pair randomisation to receive either Hybrid-4 (n = 5) or Hybrid-8 (n = 4) and assessed using a comprehensive language battery by a blinded assessor, as well as selected activity, participation and well-being measures before, immediately after and 4-week post-treatment.

Results: All participants in Hybrid-4 and three out of four participants in Hybrid-8 demonstrated clinically significant improvement to measures of language impairment immediately post-treatment, with the majority also demonstrating maintenance effects 4-week post-treatment. Clinically significant improvements to activity, participation and well-being measures were also observed across participants in both groups.

Conclusions: Findings support the potential benefit of employing an intensive hybrid service model and suggest that both 4 and 8 h per week of impairment-based treatment for 8 weeks may result in improvements in communication and well-being for some PWA across different stages of recovery.