Effects of an Intensive and Comprehensive Aphasia Program for Cantonese Speakers With Aphasia

PURPOSE: Intensive and Comprehensive Aphasia Programs (ICAPs) have been implemented in various settings in English-speaking regions, demonstrating beneficial effects on participants' communication abilities, participation levels, and overall well-being. Considering the limited number of ICAP studies involving Chinese- or Cantonese-speaking people with aphasia (PWA) and the existing gaps in local rehabilitation services in Hong Kong, our research aimed to develop a culturally and linguistically specific ICAP for Cantonese-speaking PWA. We first outlined the logistical constructs for the Hong Kong Intensive and Comprehensive Aphasia Program (HK-ICAP). Then, we examined the effects of the ICAP on language recovery and quality of life among PWA. METHOD: Our research team developed the HK-ICAP construct based on the knowledge shared in published ICAP research studies. Subsequently, we adapted evidence-based treatment approaches to our language and developed culturally tailored treatment stimuli for this purpose. Twenty-eight right-handed adults with chronic aphasia were provided with a 2.5-week, 39-hr ICAP intervention in Hong Kong between 2023 and 2025. Linguistic and quality of life-related measurements were taken at baseline, immediately posttreatment, and at 1 month follow-up. Data were analyzed at both group and individual levels. RESULTS: was used to identify therapeutic gains across various linguistic measures. The findings demonstrated that 33%-42% of the participants achieved therapeutic gains in each corresponding measure. A post hoc analysis of individual performance revealed that 90% of the participants (i.e., 25 of 28) achieved at least one therapeutic improvement in at least one measure at posttreatment. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that an ICAP is a feasible intervention model in culturally and linguistically diverse settings. This study provides robust evidence supporting the application of this intervention model among Cantonese- or Chinese-speaking populations. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.31934634.