Effects of an Intensive and Comprehensive Aphasia Program for Cantonese Speakers With Aphasia

Intensive and Comprehensive Aphasia Programs (ICAPs) have been implemented in various settings in English-speaking regions, demonstrating beneficial effects on participants' communication abilities, participation levels, and overall well-being. Considering the limited number of ICAP studies involving Chinese- or Cantonese-speaking people with aphasia (PWA) and the existing gaps in local rehabilitation services in Hong Kong, our research aimed to develop a culturally and linguistically specific ICAP for Cantonese-speaking PWA. We first outlined the logistical constructs for the Hong Kong Intensive and Comprehensive Aphasia Program (HK-ICAP). Then, we examined the effects of the ICAP on language recovery and quality of life among PWA.

Our research team developed the HK-ICAP construct based on the knowledge shared in published ICAP research studies. Subsequently, we adapted evidence-based treatment approaches to our language and developed culturally tailored treatment stimuli for this purpose. Twenty-eight right-handed adults with chronic aphasia were provided with a 2.5-week, 39-hr ICAP intervention in Hong Kong between 2023 and 2025. Linguistic and quality of life-related measurements were taken at baseline, immediately posttreatment, and at 1 month follow-up. Data were analyzed at both group and individual levels.

At the group level, significant improvements were observed in all linguistic and quality of life measures at posttreatment, and most of the gains were maintained at 1 month follow-up. At the individual level, the Minimum Detectable Change₉₀ was used to identify therapeutic gains across various linguistic measures. The findings demonstrated that 33%-42% of the participants achieved therapeutic gains in each corresponding measure. A post hoc analysis of individual performance revealed that 90% of the participants (i.e., 25 of 28) achieved at least one therapeutic improvement in at least one measure at posttreatment.

The findings indicate that an ICAP is a feasible intervention model in culturally and linguistically diverse settings. This study provides robust evidence supporting the application of this intervention model among Cantonese- or Chinese-speaking populations.

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.31934634.