Communication Confidence for Post-Stroke Aphasia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Preliminary exploration of novel cognitive behavioural therapy based protocol aimed at improving communication confidence in people with aphasia
IRAS ID
362163
Contact name
Valeria Yuen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN99279188
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 5 days
Research summary
This research aims to deliver an intervention that is based on cognitive behavioural therapy to people with post-stroke aphasia with the aim to support increasing communication confidence. Aphasia is a language disorder, typically caused by stroke or brain injury, that makes it hard for a person to speak, understand, read or write, although their intelligence is unchanged. I will be focusing on people who have aphasia with difficulties in speaking. They know what they want to say, but cannot find the right word to say it.
People with aphasia often report a decline in quality of life and increased psychological distress, leading to reduced interactions and loss of self-identity due to lack of communication confidence (Hilari et al., 2012). Improving confidence after stroke being identified as a priority area. Existing research demonstrates that increased communication confidence, increased life participation and self-autonomy, ultimately positively impacting quality of life (Babbit and Cherney, 2010).
The intervention is a six week programme of one hour, delivered online. This is based on the cognitive behavioural therapy model, which would involve behavioural experiments to challenge thoughts and behaviours that people have, which continue to perpetuate their low confidence. Participants would work with the therapist to come up with experiments to undertake between sessions to challenge their thoughts.
Participants are recruited through an NHS neurorehabilitation stroke service. A total of 4 participants are hoping to be recruited.
This intervention is designed to be delivered by speech and language therapists, and other allied health professions, in line with the stepped care model. Stepped care approach involves working hierarchically, offering simpler interventions and then progressing onto more complex interventions if required. This supports people with post-stroke aphasia access psychological interventions earlier as well. The aim of the intervention is to increase communication confidence and overall wellbeing of people with aphasia.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0166
Date of REC Opinion
19 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion