Web-Based Treatment for Aphasia

Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 2004-2009

Sarel van Vuuren (PI, UCB), Leora Cherney (PI, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago)

This project adds tightly integrated communications capabilities to a telehealth application by building real time 2-way messaging into the ORLA computer-based intervention of non-fluent aphasia. The ORLA system was developed previously in collaboration with Leora Cherney at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

The Lab's specific innovations include: (a) the computerized treatment system, (b) a conversational animated agent to guide patient practice of oral reading, (c) capabilities allowing a clinician to communicate with and monitor patient's progress and use in real-time via the internet with each of several patients during treatment sessions, whether in the clinic or at home.

The system is currently being evaluated in a randomized clinical trial by Leora Cherney at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. A preliminary pilot showed large gains with a patient's pre/post oral reading accuracy on the GORT increasing from 69 to 81, communicative effectiveness index (CETI) from 30 to 77, and WAB reading from 66 to 78 (Cherney et al, 2008). Additional data collection is currently underway.

Personnel: Nattawut Ngampatipatpong, Jariya Tuantranont