부산대학교 도서관

Introduction:Speech rehabilitation therapy (SRT) for stroke survivors with residual speech and cognitive impairment is standard of care. SRT is associated with high attrition rates when delivered in person in the clinic. SRT delivered via telehealth has the promise to address these concerns while improving both access to SRT and outcomes and promoting social distancing and reducing COVID exposure for high-risk stroke patients.Hypothesis:The High-Intensity Tele-speech Therapy for Stroke (HITTS) pilot program will result in measurable improvements in standardized performance and subjective reports in communication for participants compared to their baseline.Methods:We adapted evidence-based aphasia therapies implemented into a telehealth delivery model for four stroke survivor:care partner dyads over a six-week period. Following an initial face-to-face evaluation, skilled SRT was delivered via telehealth for five hours per week. Standardized pre- and post-therapy assessments were completed as well as analyses of meeting therapy goals identified by the dyad as meaningful.Results:Participants completing HITTS showed significant clinical improvements in standardized assessment scores with all participants who completed the program. Three of the four dyads completed the HITTS program and without missing any sessions and completing more than 90% of assigned work. On average 85% of self-identified therapy goals were met by the end of HITTS.Conclusions:The HITTS pilot of delivering SRT via telehealth shows promise as a viable and potentially effective means of improving attrition and outcomes while increasing engagement of care partners. Telehealth delivery models have become increasingly more important during the COVID era. A larger scale study with a usual care comparator group and longer follow-up period is needed to see if these results can be replicated and whether gains are sustained beyond the intervention period.