Developing and validating a therapeutic alliance measure
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Aphasia Therapeutic Alliance Measure (ATAM): Development and preliminary psychometric evaluation.
IRAS ID
187130
Contact name
H Michelle Lawton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 29 days
Research summary
The development and psychometric evaluation of a therapeutic alliance measure for language (aphasia) rehabilitation post stroke.\n\nAphasia is an acquired language deficit, usually caused by stroke, which can affect talking, understanding, writing and reading to varying degrees. The role of the speech and language therapist is not only to assess and treat the linguistic deficit but also to assist in providing help in the necessary adjustment to aphasia. \n\nTherapeutic alliance is a term used, commonly in the field of psychotherapy, to describe both the collaborative bond between the client and therapist and the agreement negotiated between the client and therapist in relation to the goals and purpose of therapy. Although therapeutic alliance is an established concept in the field of psychotherapy, research to date, has yet to explore this concept in aphasia rehabilitation. This concept is in fact highly relevant to aphasia rehabilitation since establishment of a common purpose and a shared commitment to engage in therapeutic activities, within a context of mutual respect, empathy and warmth are essential ingredients in purposeful aphasia rehabilitation.\n\nThe development of a robust measure of therapeutic alliance will enable us to determine whether therapeutic alliance is a variable component of language (aphasia) therapy and will enable us to tap into this, as yet unexplored phenomenon in stroke rehabilitation, to ensure that patients reach their full potential.\n\nIn order to develop the therapeutic alliance measure and determine its psychometric properties, the measure will be trialled with 75 speech and language therapist-patient dyads engaging in language therapy post stroke, across NHS sites in the United Kingdom. Individual participation will span over 1 to 5 weeks.\n
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0499
Date of REC Opinion
8 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion