Summary
This study will use a randomized controlled trial design to evaluate the effect of two evidence-based treatments for adults with mild-moderate Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). The aim of the study is to help us better understand the effects of speech-language therapy on communication abilities in individuals with PPA.
Detailed Description
Participants with a diagnosis of PPA and their actively-engaged care partners will be involved in the study for approximately 17 months. Each participant will receive a laptop equipped with the necessary applications and features for the study. Participants will receive up to 10 evaluations and 20 speech therapy sessions with a licensed speech therapist, as well as access to Communication Bridge, a personalized web application to practice home exercises that reinforce treatment strategies. There are no costs to participate in this study.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Range: 18 years to 100 years
Inclusion Criteria (person with PPA):
1. Meets diagnostic criteria for PPA based on neurologist and supporting medical assessments (extracted from medical records)
2. English as primary language used in daily communication activities (by self-report)
3. Adequate hearing (aided or unaided) for communicating with others in a crowded room (by self-report)
4. Adequate vision (aided or unaided) for reading a newspaper, or other functional materials (by self-report)
5. Able to pass technology screening and demonstrates sufficient knowledge for use of video conference and Communication Bridge™ web application use (with or without training)
6. Geriatric Depression Scale score ≤ 9
7. Mild-moderate PPA informed by a structured interview with a speech-language pathologist and a standardized testing battery.
Inclusion Criteria (Co-enrolled communication partner):
1. 18+ years of age
2. English as primary language used in daily communication activities (by self-report)
3. Adequate hearing (aided or unaided) for communicating with others in a crowded room (by self-report)
4. Able to pass technology screening\* and demonstrates sufficient knowledge for use of video conference and Communication Bridge™ web application use (with or without training)
Exclusion Criteria:
* A dementia diagnosis other than Primary Progressive Aphasia
* Participation is co-enrolled in an outside speech language therapy program during the study course.
* Communication partners will be excluded if they have a pre-existing communication impairment that would affect study participation (e.g., aphasia, dementia)
Medical records will be requested and reviewed to determine eligibility
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Communication Bridge™
BEHAVIORAL
Evidence-Based Impairment Focused