Multicomponent Language Treatment for Primary Progressive Aphasia

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a progressive neurological disorder that causes a gradual decline in communication ability as a result of selective neurodegeneration of speech and language networks in the brain. PPA is a devastating condition affecting adults as young as in their 50's, depriving them of the ability to communicate and function in society. As a result of improved diagnostic precision, PPA is now identified with greater accuracy and frequency and, increasingly, patients and their families seek options for behavioral treatments to ameliorate the devastating effects on their communication, prolong speech language skills, and maximize quality of life. Speech-language treatment outcomes from our group and others are encouraging, confirming that behavioral intervention may lead to improvements in trained behaviors and, for some interventions, lasting and generalized benefit. Most speech-language interventions for individuals with PPA that have been explored in the literature are restitutive, or impairment-based in nature, and have not addressed the full range of severity and phenotypic variability in this population. The investigators will evaluate the utility of a novel, multicomponent intervention that incorporates elements of restitutive (e.g., word finding strategic training, script training), compensatory (e.g., multimodal communication, communication book), and care partner-focused treatment to meet the needs of individuals varying in clinical presentation and severity.

Research Team

Maya L Henry, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Texas - Austin

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) who can still score at least 10 on the Mini-Mental State Examination. They must have a partner to attend sessions with them. It's not suitable for those with major visual/hearing issues, other cognitive/behavioral/motor impairments, or additional neurological/psychiatric conditions affecting language skills.

Inclusion Criteria

Has a study partner who can consistently attend sessions

Meets diagnostic criteria for Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA; Gorno-Tempini et al., 2011)

Scores of 10 or higher on the Mini-Mental State Examination

Exclusion Criteria

I have a neurological or psychiatric condition that affects my speech or understanding.

Score of less than 10 on the Mini-Mental State Examination

I do not have major vision or hearing problems that would affect my participation.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Multicomponent Communication Partner Training (Multi-CPT) (Behavioural Intervention)
• Multicomponent Lexical Retrieval Training (Multi-LRT) (Behavioural Intervention)
• Multicomponent Video Implemented Script Training in Aphasia (Multi-VISTA) (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests three treatments: Multi-LRT focuses on word finding strategies; Multi-VISTA uses video scripts to improve speech; and Multi-CPT involves partners in communication training. The goal is to see if these combined approaches help maintain language functions and quality of life in PPA patients.

Participant Groups

Group I: Multicomponent Video Implemented Script Training in Aphasia (Multi-VISTA) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Multicomponent Lexical Retrieval Training (Multi-LRT) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group III: Multicomponent Communicaiton Partner Training (Multi-CPT) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Texas at Austin

Lead Sponsor

Trials

387

Recruited

86,100+