Overview
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.
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
Inclusion Criteria (person with PPA):
- Meets diagnostic criteria for PPA based on neurologist and supporting medical assessments (extracted from medical records)
- English as primary language used in daily communication activities (by self-report)
- Adequate hearing (aided or unaided) for communicating with others in a crowded room (by self-report)
- Adequate vision (aided or unaided) for reading a newspaper, or other functional materials (by self-report)
- Able to pass technology screening and demonstrates sufficient knowledge for use of video conference and Communication Bridge™ web application use (with or without training)
- Geriatric Depression Scale score ≤ 9
- Mild-moderate PPA informed by a structured interview with a speech-language pathologist and a standardized testing battery.
Inclusion Criteria (Co-enrolled communication partner):
- 18+ years of age
- English as primary language used in daily communication activities (by self-report)
- Adequate hearing (aided or unaided) for communicating with others in a crowded room (by self-report)
- 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