People with post-stroke aphasia are at risk of becoming depressed, anxious and isolated. They want therapy to focus on communication, confidence, mood, and finding ways to live well.
We co-designed a novel intervention, ELLA (EmotionaL and Language recovery after Aphasia) to address these priorities. ELLA integrates two evidence-based therapy approaches: elaborated semantic feature analysis, a word-finding therapy, and solution focused brief therapy (SFBT), a brief psychological therapy. A proof-of-concept study had promising results when tested in the university clinic.
This study aims to investigate whether it is feasible to train clinicians to deliver ELLA within NHS settings using a model of partially delegated delivery; explore how acceptable ELLA is to people with aphasia, family members and clinicians when delivered in community NHS services; and assess the feasibility of conducting a future definitive trial investigating clinical and cost effectiveness.
Investigators: Dr Sarah Northcott, Prof Katerina Hilari, Dr Shirley Thomas, Kirsty James, Dr Menjun Wu, Paula Smejka, Dr Nick Behn, Dr Niamh Devane, Nikki Atkins, Carla Magdalani, Jean Rutter & Jaycie Bohan.
