Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
Utilizing Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Improve Language Function in Stroke Patients with Chronic Non-fluent Aphasia
Published on: July 2, 2013
Communication and Low Mood (CALM): a randomized controlled trial of behavioural therapy for stroke patients with
Shirley A Thomas1, Marion F Walker, Jamie A Macniven
1University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, UK. Shirley.thomas@nottingham.ac.uk
Objective:
The aim was to evaluate behavioural therapy as a treatment for low mood in people with aphasia.
Design:
A randomized controlled trial comparing behavioural therapy plus usual care with a usual care control. Potential participants with aphasia after stroke were screened for the presence of low mood. Those who met the criteria and gave consent were randomly allocated.
Setting:
Participants were recruited from hospital wards, community rehabilitation, speech and language therapy services and stroke groups.
Subjects:
Of 511 people with aphasia identified, 105 had low mood and were recruited.
Interventions:
Behavioural therapy was offered for up to three months. Outcomes were assessed three and six months after random allocation.
Main Measures:
Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire, Visual Analog Mood Scales 'sad' item, and Visual Analogue Self-Esteem Scale.
Results:
Participants were aged 29 to 94 years (mean 67.0, SD 13.5) and 66 (63%) were men. Regression analysis showed that at three months, when baseline values and communication impairment were controlled for, group allocation was a significant predictor of the Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire (P < 0.05), visual analogue 'sad' (P = 0.03), and Visual Analogue Self-Esteem Scale (P < 0.01). At six months, group alone was a significant predictor of the Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire (P < 0.05), and remained significant when baseline values were controlled for (P = 0.02). Mean Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire 10-item hospital version scores decreased from baseline to six months by six points in the intervention group as compared with an increase of 1.9 points in the control group.
Conclusions:
Behavioural therapy seemed to improve the mood of people with aphasia.
