CLAHRC BITE

Brokering Innovation Through Evidence Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care

BITE 1 June 2012

A bite-sized summary of a project within CLAHRC for South Yorkshire Cost Effectiveness of Computer Aphasia Treatment versus Usual Stimulation (CACTUS) This pilot study has demonstrated: • the patient benefits of a new computerbased intervention • offered a local opportunity for long-term self-managed speech therapy

She’s had her stroke 30 years and she’s never strung a sentence together. It was quite nice when she said “what have you been doing?”

• provided advice on volunteer training to a new charity • shared the evidence and approach to assist with implementation nationally. This research is a joint project between the CLAHRC SY Stroke theme and the Telehealth and Care Technologies (TaCT) theme.

About a third of people who have had a stroke have aphasia, making it difficult to speak, understand, read and write. There is evidence that people can continue to improve their language ability for several years. However, it is difficult to provide continued treatment with the intensity required to support improvement because of limited speech and language therapy resources. Specially developed computer software offers the opportunity for individuals with speech and language difficulties to continue independent language practice. • 34 people with long-standing aphasia (1-29 yrs) were recruited. • The group of people having computer treatment for five months were compared to a group who were not offered this treatment using a randomised controlled trial design. • The project worked with the Stroke Association, Voluntary Action Sheffield and the Human Communication Science department of the University of Sheffield to recruit and train volunteers to support the treatment. • Results show that the treatment group named 19.8% more words than the usual care group (95%CI: 4.4 to 35.2; p=0.014). • Much of the qualitative data highlights both the benefits of longer-term speech therapy opportunities and quality of life of participants and their families. The data collected provides an early indication that self-managed aphasia therapy with computer and volunteer support is cost effective. This needs to be confirmed in a larger trial for which funding is being sought. References Palmer R, Enderby P, Cooper, C, Latimer, N, Julious S, Paterson G, Dimairo M, Dixon S, Mortley J, Hilton R, Delaney A, Hughes, H. Computer therapy compared with usual care for people with long standing aphasia post stroke: A pilot randomised controlled trial.Stroke. 2012; 43

About CLAHRC for South Yorkshire There are nine CLAHRCs in England. Our remit is to undertake applied research and implementation activities, and to build capacity within our partner organisations. CLAHRC for South Yorkshire is a partnership between universities, the NHS, and other NIHR initiatives.

Our website www.clahrc-sy.nihr.ac.uk/ south-yorkshire-cohort.html This is a summary of independent research within CLAHRC for South Yorkshire. CLAHRC for South Yorkshire acknowledges funding from the National Institute for Health Research. The views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors, and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. CLAHRC SY would also like to acknowledge the participation and resources of our partner organisations. Partner details can be found on our website.