Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention for Individuals with Post-Stroke Aphasia: A Study Protocol to Improve Quality of Life and Psychological Factors

Background: Stroke is the primary cause of low quality of life and disability worldwide. Almost one-third of stroke patients are diagnosed with post-stroke aphasia, a language disorder that hinders the interpretation and formulation of language symbols. Patients with aphasia frequently experience difficulty communicating their health-related everyday requirements. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) allows people with aphasia to augment or alternate communication using both low- and high-tech equipment. Method: This was a single-blind pilot study with a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) design, carried out in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Ten people with post-stroke aphasia were divided into two groups: group one received standard Speech Language Therapy (SLT), while group two received Augmentative and Alternative Communication Therapy (AACT) and SLT for ten days in a row. Participants were evaluated prior to and two weeks after the intervention to compare the outcomes. The primary result was evaluated using the Communicative Effectiveness Index (CETI) for functional communication and the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) for overall language performance. The secondary outcome was assessed by a 10-minute talk, using the Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire - Hospital Version (SADQH 10) to plan the psychological element and the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) to assess overall quality of life. Results: Individuals with post-stroke aphasia who received AACT and SLT demonstrated improved language performance and functional communication, as well as a positive impact on their psychological well-being and overall quality of life when compared to those who received only conventional SLT. Conclusion: The study provides new insights into implementing AAC for PWA post stroke as an early and initial intervention protocol, as it allows for early recovery when compared to conventional SLT alone.