Authors' Names

Anya Leyhe

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract/Artist Statement

Individuals with aphasia who participate in intensive post-stroke language rehabilitation programs make a variety of significant investments. Investments involve commitment across many domains including: time, finance, family participation, temporary relocation, as well as cognitive, physical, and emotional exertion. While intensive aphasia programs and intensive comprehensive aphasia programs (ICAPs) are becoming increasingly prevalent across health care settings (Rodriguez et al., 2017; Rose, et al 2013), and language-based and psychosocial outcomes are beginning to be reported in the literature (e.g., Babbitt, Worrall, & Cherney, 2015; Hoover, Caplan, Waters, & Carney, 2017), patient perspectives have yet to be explored. As health care moves towards patient centered care (Robinson et al., 2008), persons with aphasia (PWA)’s perspectives of their rehabilitation experience should inform current research and intervention approaches (e.g., Barrett, 2010).

The purpose of this qualitative study is to examine patient perspectives on the experience of participating in an intensive comprehensive aphasia program (ICAP), specifically the Big Sky Aphasia Program (BSAP) at University of Montana. Investigating what it is like for a person with aphasia (PWA) to participate in an ICAP will contribute to the exploration of the worthwhileness of the ICAP model. The primary research question of this study was: “what is it like to be a PWA in an ICAP?”

Investigators conducted nine, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews to collect narrative data from PWA who participated in the BSAP ICAP. The researchers asked the participants to describe their experiences and perspectives of the ICAP All interviews were audiovisually recorded and transcribed from the video recordings. Spoken production was transcribed verbatim and meaningful non-verbal communication (e.g., pointing) was also documented in the transcripts. Both researchers present during interviews took field notes on topics interviewees emphasized as important. Transcripts and field notes will be analyzed to create codes (i.e., phrases with keywords that represent significant concepts in participants’ experiences).

Data will be analyzed for themes and conclusions will be made about participants’ experiences in the BSAP ICAP. Implications of these perspectives for future ICAP implementation and research will be discussed.

Mentor Name

Catherine Off

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Feb 22nd, 5:00 PM Feb 22nd, 6:00 PM

Patient Perspectives of an Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program for Stroke Survivors

UC North Ballroom

Individuals with aphasia who participate in intensive post-stroke language rehabilitation programs make a variety of significant investments. Investments involve commitment across many domains including: time, finance, family participation, temporary relocation, as well as cognitive, physical, and emotional exertion. While intensive aphasia programs and intensive comprehensive aphasia programs (ICAPs) are becoming increasingly prevalent across health care settings (Rodriguez et al., 2017; Rose, et al 2013), and language-based and psychosocial outcomes are beginning to be reported in the literature (e.g., Babbitt, Worrall, & Cherney, 2015; Hoover, Caplan, Waters, & Carney, 2017), patient perspectives have yet to be explored. As health care moves towards patient centered care (Robinson et al., 2008), persons with aphasia (PWA)’s perspectives of their rehabilitation experience should inform current research and intervention approaches (e.g., Barrett, 2010).

The purpose of this qualitative study is to examine patient perspectives on the experience of participating in an intensive comprehensive aphasia program (ICAP), specifically the Big Sky Aphasia Program (BSAP) at University of Montana. Investigating what it is like for a person with aphasia (PWA) to participate in an ICAP will contribute to the exploration of the worthwhileness of the ICAP model. The primary research question of this study was: “what is it like to be a PWA in an ICAP?”

Investigators conducted nine, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews to collect narrative data from PWA who participated in the BSAP ICAP. The researchers asked the participants to describe their experiences and perspectives of the ICAP All interviews were audiovisually recorded and transcribed from the video recordings. Spoken production was transcribed verbatim and meaningful non-verbal communication (e.g., pointing) was also documented in the transcripts. Both researchers present during interviews took field notes on topics interviewees emphasized as important. Transcripts and field notes will be analyzed to create codes (i.e., phrases with keywords that represent significant concepts in participants’ experiences).

Data will be analyzed for themes and conclusions will be made about participants’ experiences in the BSAP ICAP. Implications of these perspectives for future ICAP implementation and research will be discussed.