Clinical Effectiveness of the Comprehensive, High-Dose Aphasia Treatment Program for People With Poststroke Aphasia

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Intensive comprehensive aphasia programs (ICAPs) are evidence-based but underutilized in healthcare.
• Barriers to ICAP adoption include service delivery models and resource allocation.
• This study addresses the need for feasible and effective ICAP implementation in public health settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the Comprehensive, High-dose Aphasia Treatment (CHAT) program, a modified ICAP.
• To assess CHAT implementation within a public rehabilitation facility in Australia.
• To determine the impact of CHAT on poststroke aphasia recovery.

Main Methods:

• A nonrandomized, Type II hybrid implementation and effectiveness study design.
• Sixty-seven adults with poststroke aphasia participated in the CHAT program (50 hours over 8 weeks).
• Feasibility assessed via service statistics; effectiveness measured by language impairment, communication, and quality of life using linear mixed models and individual change analysis.

Main Results:

• Fourteen CHAT cohorts were delivered, with 65 participants completing the program (average 46.6 hours).
• Significant improvements were observed in language impairment, communication, and quality of life at post-therapy and 3-month follow-up (p < .05).
• Eighty-nine percent of participants showed significant improvement in at least one outcome measure.

Conclusions:

• The CHAT program is a feasible model for aphasia rehabilitation within a public healthcare context.
• CHAT implementation led to positive and lasting improvements in language, communication, and quality of life for individuals with aphasia.
• This study supports the integration of modified ICAPs into routine clinical practice for stroke survivors.