The experience of people with aphasia during the first three months post stroke: What facilitates successful living?

In order to identify factors that facilitate successfully living with aphasia during the first year post stroke a prospective mixed method, longitudinal study was undertaken. Thirteen participants with aphasia participated in the study. Participants were involved in qualitative interviews and measures of aphasia severity, quality of life and successful living were undertaken. Results from initial data at three months post onset highlighted that aphasia severity ratings did not always coincide with ratings of successful living and quality of life. Factors such as social support, rehabilitation, participation in meaningful activities, determination and optimism were identified as important facilitators

Therapeutic effect of an intensive, comprehensive aphasia program: Aphasia LIFT

The development of intensive, comprehensive aphasia programs (ICAPs) is increasing due to evidence in favour of greater treatment intensity (Cherney, Patterson, Raymer, Frymark, & Schooling, 2008), the adoption of a broad, holistic, biopsychosocial approach in aphasia rehabilitation (Byng & Duchan, 2005; Kagan et al., 2008; Martin, Thompson, & Worrall, 2008; Simmons-Mackie & Kagan, 2007), and the desire to meet the needs of people with aphasia and their family members in therapy (Howe et al., 2012; Worrall et al., 2012). ICAPs comprise a range of therapy approaches (individual therapy, group therapy, patient/family education, technology), delivered at high intensity (minimum of three hours per day over at least two weeks), to a defined group of participants within a specified amount of time (Cherney, Worrall, & Rose, 2012). Aphasia LIFT (Language Impairment and Functioning Therapy) is a research-based ICAP that uses evidence-based therapy approaches to target language and functioning across the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains (WHO, 2001). The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic effect of Aphasia LIFT on language impairment, functional communication, and communication-related quality of life (QOL)

Living successfully with aphasia during the first year post-stroke: a longitudinal qualitative study

Background: Studies exploring the concept of living successfully with aphasia have advanced the understanding of positive adaptive factors, which may inform clinical interventions provided to people with aphasia. Adaptation over time has been identified as a critical component of living successfully with aphasia. Yet, the experiences of individuals with aphasia and factors they perceive to influence living successfully over time remain ill-described. Longitudinal research might add an important perspective to existing literature in the area of living successfully with aphasia and provide clarification regarding the needs of people with aphasia over time

A mixed methods study of the experience of transition to the community of working-aged people with non-traumatic brain injury

Background and aims: The 'transition' phase from hospital to home following brain injury is well established as a critical period of adjustment for individuals and their families. There is, however, a lack of knowledge about the experience of transition following nontraumatic brain injury (e.g., stroke, aneurysm) for individuals of working age. The purpose of this study was to explore the transition experiences of individuals with nontraumatic brain injury using mixed methods approach

The first 3-months post-stroke: What facilitates successfully living with aphasia?

This study used a qualitative approach to describe the experience of the first 3 months post-stroke in order to identify factors which facilitate successfully living with aphasia. Fifteen participants completed semi-structured interviews and self-perceived ratings of how successfully he or she was living with aphasia. A number of themes were identified from the interviews, including: a need to do things in order to be actively engaged in rehabilitation; increase independence and have a purpose in life; the importance of social support; the value of rehabilitation; a need to adapt and make adjustments; and having a positive outlook. These results suggest that a range of service delivery models need to be considered during the early stages post-stroke in order to address individual needs and so that long-term outcomes of people with aphasia may be improved