STUDY BASICS
Do you have aphasia due to a stroke? Have you had aphasia for more than 6 months? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a research study to find out if using iPad flashcard software can improve word-findings abilities in people with aphasia. Compensation is provided.
STUDY PURPOSE
After a stroke, some people develop aphasia—a communication disorder that affects the ability to speak, listen, read, and/or write. The purpose of this study is to help researchers find out if a computer-based aphasia treatment that uses adaptive flashcard software can improve word-finding abilities in people with aphasia. Researchers hope their findings will lead to better ways to treat people with aphasia in the future.
COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?
- Ages 18 and up
- Diagnosed with aphasia following a stroke
- Have had aphasia due to stroke for more than 6 months
- No prior history of neurodegenerative diseases or head injury
- Native English speakers
WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT
Participation involves an initial phone call and 3-6 in-person testing sessions over about 2 weeks to find out if you qualify for the study. During the in-person visits, you will have a series of speech, language, cognitive, and quality of life assessments. These visits take about 1-3 hours each. Participants who are eligible for the study will enter the 12-week training and treatment phase that involves using an online program called Anki on an iPad that will be loaned to you by the study team. There will also be three 1-3 hour testing sessions after you finish treatment.
IRB: STUDY19060039A
- Examining mechanisms of learning and treatment generalization in aphasia rehabilitation using open-source flashcard software.MEET THE RESEARCHER
William Evans
William S. Evans, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and a clinician-scientist within the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS). A graduate of Boston University, Dr. Evans’ research interests include the role of cognition, affect, and other “extra-linguistic” factors in aphasia.