International Journal of Telerehabilitation (Jan 2015)

Combining Teletherapy and On-line Language Exercises in the Treatment of Chronic Aphasia: An Outcome Study

  • Richard D. Steele,
  • Allison Baird,
  • Denise McCall,
  • Lisa Haynes

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2014.6157
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 2
pp. 3 – 20

Abstract

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We report a 12-week outcome study in which nine persons with long-term chronic aphasia received individual and group speech-language teletherapy services, and also used on-line language exercises to practice from home between therapy sessions. Participants were assessed at study initiation and completion using the Western Aphasia Battery, a portion of the Communicative Effectiveness Index, ASHA National Outcome Measurement System, and RIC Communication Confidence Rating Scale for Aphasia; additionally participants were polled regarding satisfaction at discharge. Pre-treatment and post-treatment means were calculated and compared, and matched t-tests were used to determine significance of improvements following treatment, with patterns of independent on-line activity analyzed. Analysis of scores shows that means improved on most measures following treatment, generally significantly: the WAB AQ improved +3.5 (p = .057); the CETI Overall (of items administered) — +17.8 (p = .01), and CCRSA Overall — + 10.4 (p = .0004). Independent work increased with time, and user satisfaction following participation was high.