Developing a treatment for stroke patients with word-finding difficulties

Approximately one third of people who have a stroke will have aphasia; a condition where a person shows impaired use and understanding of language. This can have a devastating effect on the person and their family.

The most common symptom of aphasia is word-finding difficulties; difficulty in saying the name of something at will. Speech and language therapy can do much to reduce this disability and a treatment programme has been developed to help reduce word-finding difficulties. The programme, which uses sound and written cues has been shown to be effective when used in academic settings. The aim of this project is to test the effectiveness of this treatment programme and develop it for use within the NHS.

Over an 18-month period 12 people with aphasia will be treated whilst the researchers develop the programme so that it can be implemented clinically. A pack of treatment materials to enable speech and language therapists to use the programme on a national basis will also be produced. The study will also measure the impact of treatment on word finding in real life conversation. This project will provide researchers and clinicians with the rare opportunity to work together on a project with wide implications for current health service practice.

Scientific Title: A health service investigation of the treatment of word-finding difficulties in aphasia using sound and written cues

Classification:
Rehabilitation, Quality of life

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