Better Conversations with Primary Progressive Aphasia (BCPPA)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Better Conversations with Primary Progressive Aphasia and other rare dementias (BCPPA): Speech and Language Therapy to keep families together.
IRAS ID
341322
Contact name
Anna Volkmer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
People with dementia and their family members and friends experience difficulties in conversation. This study proposes a randomised waiting list controlled feasibility trial of a communication partner training intervention called Better Conversations- BC, for people with dementia and a communication partner (family member or friend). The study will recruit participants from five NHS trusts at the time of diagnosis or on referral to speech and language therapy.Participants who fulfil the inclusion criteria will be invited to participate in the study. Having consented to participate and completed several pre-intervention outcome measures (including language testing, ratings of communication confidence and participation and video recordings of conversations) participants will be randomised to receive the intervention or to a waiting list control. The Better Conversations communication partner training intervention is delivered to the person and their communication partner. This will be delivered over six, one-hour sessions on zoom. The speech and language therapy collaborator or research assistant delivering the intervention will show video recordings of the dyads conversations and support them to identify how they can change their behaviours to improve conversations.
Participants who have been randomised to no treatment will have six weeks of no treatment, before commencing the intervention. Having completed the intervention, participants will repeat the outcome measures and videos. They will then complete these again 3 months later. The aim of the study is to understand for a future full trial:
1: What is the optimal schedule and dosage of BC?
2: What are the best selection criteria for a future full randomised control trial of BC?
3: Is remote delivery of BC acceptable to people with dementia?
4: Evaluation of intervention to establish a sample size calculation for a future fully powered study
5: What is the best way to measure costs and outcomes?REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
24/NI/0123
Date of REC Opinion
24 Dec 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion