Year of Award

2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Name

Speech-Language Pathology

Department or School/College

School of Speech, Language, Hearing, and Occupational Sciences

Committee Chair

Catherine Off

Commitee Members

Julia Mazzarella, Laurie Slovarp, Leah Meloy

Subject Categories

Physical Therapy | Speech and Hearing Science | Speech Pathology and Audiology

Abstract

Background and Significance: Stroke remains a leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting over 2.5 million individuals annually. Stroke-related motor and communication deficits often co-occur, increasing challenges for recovery, increasing social isolation, depression, and dependency. Hippotherapy has emerged as a novel treatment approach for neurorehabilitation; however, its application within interprofessional models for individuals with stroke-related motor and communication impairments remains underexplored. This study examines the feasibility, fidelity, and acceptability of an interprofessional intervention using hippotherapy for adults with chronic post-stroke aphasia, the purpose of which is to generate methodological guidance for future controlled trials.

Methods: A non-randomized, single-group prospective feasibility pilot study was conducted with three adults with chronic aphasia. Participants received interprofessional therapy in the equine environment, including hippotherapy (over 4 weeks, 2 sessions per week), co-delivered by a speech-language pathologist and a physical therapist. Feasibility outcomes include recruitment, retention, attendance, outcome completion, and provider participation. A priori feasibility criteria were defined as ≥ 80% retention and outcome completion, ≥ 80% session attendance, ≥ 80% treatment fidelity, and high participant acceptability. Treatment fidelity was evaluated using a structured checklist and video-based coding. Acceptability was assessed using session-level ratings of participant satisfaction and engagement. Language, psychosocial, and motor outcomes were examined descriptively to characterize response patterns.

Results and Conclusion: Feasibility benchmarks were met across all domains, with 100% retention and outcome completion and 87.5% session attendance. Treatment fidelity exceeded the a priori criterion (93.11% overall adherence). Acceptability was high, with near ceiling satisfaction and engagement scores across participants. All outcome measures were administered successfully, with no missing data. Methodological implications were identified related to measurement sensitivity, dual-task assessment design, concurrent Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program (ICAP) participation, resource availability, cost, and logistical accessibility.

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© Copyright 2026 Bethany H. Wenger