Introduction
Early aphasia intervention is considered best practice and is a predictor of improved communication outcomes. Therapy recommendations for dose, intensity and amount do not have level 1 evidence to support clinical practice. There is minimal research including perspectives of stakeholders concerning early intensive aphasia therapy. This study aimed to better understand the experiences, perspectives and preferences of people with lived experience of undertaking early intensive aphasia therapy and their carers.
Methods
The research involved a qualitative, descriptive approach with thematic analysis of interview data. Participants comprised seven people with lived experience and seven carers from the VERSE clinical trial participants.
Results
Identified themes included: perceived therapy effectiveness, emotional reactions to therapy, impact of aphasia on therapy experience, impact of mental state on therapy experience, fear, therapy delivery mode, therapeutic relationship, new understanding of how to manage aphasia, carer involvement and reliance on therapy. Intensive aphasia therapy was perceived to improve overall communication skills of people with lived experience, whereas improvement of communicative interactions generally was mixed. Participants found comfort in treatment and displayed reliance upon therapy. This theme was consistent, although some relatives also described challenges including tiring therapy tasks for people with aphasia and having limited carer involvement in therapy.
Conclusion
Multiple factors affected the participants’ perception of therapy including the established therapeutic relationship and the nature of aphasia itself. There is need for further stakeholder engaged research to enhance the current knowledge of client and carer needs regarding early aphasia therapy.
Relevance to clinical practice or patient experience
While overall perceptions of early intense intervention were positive, a deeper understanding of how people with aphasia and their carers interpret individual elements of aphasia therapy (e.g. dose, intensity) may strengthen clinical recommendations for early aphasia therapy.