Research Project
Full description This research project contributed to the first authors' PhD thesis, which aimed to: 1. Translate the CHAT program for delivery via telerehabilitation (TeleCHAT) and configure a telerehabilitation system for its delivery. 2. Evaluate the feasibility of delivering 50 hours of comprehensive, tailored therapy via telerehabilitation (TeleCHAT) to PWA and actively involve their support people (SPs). 3. Comprehensively describe the process of optimising usability of the TeleCHAT telerehabilitation system for PWA and evaluate its usability for PWA and speech-language pathologists (SLPs), with respect to efficiency, effectiveness and user satisfaction. 4. Explore the perceptions of PWA on the acceptability of TeleCHAT within the domains of 1) participant satisfaction, 2) perceived quality of care received, 3) perceived impact of doing telerehabilitation from home, and 4) intended future participation in TeleCHAT. This thesis comprised two phases. The first phase involved translating CHAT into TeleCHAT, using a modified human-centred design process to configure a telerehabilitation system fit for purpose. The second phase was a non-randomised one-armed pre-post mixed methods study conducted across three consecutive cohorts with unblinded participants. Overall, this thesis demonstrated that with systematic planning and translation for telerehabilitation delivery, it is feasible to retain the core components of an ICAP (i.e., CHAT), the technology configuration can be made usable for all participants, and this service delivery mode is acceptable for its intended recipients. Personalisation was integral to the success of TeleCHAT, as this concept was maintained throughout all stages of the development and delivery of the program. This thesis provides empirical evidence to support the delivery of an ICAP via telerehabilitation, with significant clinical implications that will drive the planning and delivery of future programs. Findings from this thesis contribute to our understanding of two emerging and evolving service delivery models: aphasia telerehabilitation and ICAPs. It is hoped that the outcomes of this body of research will improve access to high-quality, best-practice aphasia telerehabilitation services.