Developing care for stroke survivors with communication difficulties
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing care for stroke survivors with communication difficulties living in the community.
IRAS ID
193003
Contact name
Faye D Plummer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Stroke is a complex condition which leaves many survivors with long-term disability and unmet need (Murray et al., 2012). Approximately one third of stroke survivors will experience language and communication difficulties such as aphasia, dysarthria or apraxia of speech which may affect their ability to speak, understand others, read or write (Engelter et al., 2006; Donkervoort et al., 2000; Melo 1992). These difficulties have an extensive impact upon daily life and may persist for many years following stroke; long after support from traditional rehabilitation services has ended.
There is evidence to suggest that stroke survivors with communication difficulties have particularly poor outcome (Hilari, 2011; Cruice et al., 2006). Stroke survivors with communication difficulties commonly experience emotional distress, social isolation and loss of meaningful activity in the long-term (Brown et al., 2013; Dietz et al., 2013). The current programme of research aims to understand if stroke survivors with communication difficulties could be better helped to manage their condition and by doing so, make improvements to their quality of life. Due to their difficulties, this population has been excluded from many areas of stroke research (Brady et al., 2013; Townend et al., 2007). The needs and priorities of stroke survivors with communication difficulties in relation to longer-term care are not well understood.
Using supported communication techniques this group of stroke survivors will be interviewed in-depth about their experiences. We will also interview their informal carers/relatives and speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) to gain their views. Focus groups will be conducted with stroke survivors, carers and SLTs to further prioritize the needs identified in the interviews. This information will be used in order to understand how best to support stroke survivors with communication difficulties in the long-term and make recommendations regarding the format and content of such support.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0002
Date of REC Opinion
1 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion