"A Better Way of Just Being Free": Exploring How Stroke Survivors With Aphasia Experienced an Intervention Combining Communication Strategy Training With Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
June Bracken, Alyssa Kelly, Eric C Meyer et al.
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In 30 seconds
This Phase I clinical trial reported qualitative findings from posttreatment interviews with 14 stroke survivors with aphasia who received a refined intervention combining Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with communication strategy training. Using content analysis, researchers identified experiences of the intervention, critiques, and perceived mechanisms of change. Participants described satisfaction, positive changes in mood and behavior, and greater acceptance of aphasia. Findings also supported the intervention’s core components, particularly mindfulness practice, therapeutic alliance, and patient autonomy. The results provide qualitative support for further evaluation, rather than evidence of treatment efficacy.
Key findings
- Interviews with 14 participants indicated satisfaction with the intervention and reported positive changes in mood and behavior.
- Participants described increased acceptance of aphasia after receiving ACT combined with communication strategy training.
- Findings supported the core components and highlighted mindfulness, therapeutic alliance, and patient autonomy as important intervention features.
- Reported experiences were consistent with proposed mechanisms involving psychological flexibility and generalization of treatment.
Why it matters
Mental health interventions tailored to stroke survivors with aphasia remain limited. These qualitative findings suggest that combining psychological therapy with communication strategy training can be acceptable to participants and may address experiences relevant to emotional wellbeing and communication. They also identify intervention features to consider in further evaluation, while not establishing clinical effectiveness.
What to keep in mind
The findings are qualitative and based on posttreatment interviews from 14 participants who received the refined intervention; they do not establish comparative efficacy.