Training volunteers to support a tablet-based aphasia program with inpatients in a stroke rehabilitation unit: A...

Meeting rehabilitation intensity goals in an inpatient stroke rehabilitation unit is a constant challenge due to staffing and budget constraints, a situation further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. To bridge the gap, speech-language pathologists often provide independent practice (traditionally paper and pen exercises and more recently tablet-based); however, patients can have trouble completing these programs independently. Caregivers can help but may be overwhelmed during the inpatient rehabilitation process. In this case study, we enlisted student volunteers from a local health-related program to offer individualized supplemental tablet-based aphasia practice as an adjunct to standard therapy with a speech-language pathologist for people with aphasia. Five adults with aphasia (2 women and 3 men; aged 37 to 80, mean age 58.2) were admitted to an inpatient stroke rehabilitation unit and received supervised sessions during off-therapy hours. Participants attended 57/62 (91.9%) of available sessions, ranging from 5 to 24 sessions per participant. Mean session duration per participant ranged from 56 to 92 minutes. All student volunteers remained engaged over 5 months with no attrition. This program shows that volunteers can support the delivery of a tablet-based program as an adjunct to conventional aphasia therapy to boost rehabilitation intensity during an inpatient stroke rehabilitation admission. [198 words].