What speech and language therapy do community dwelling stroke survivors with aphasia receive in the UK?

Abstract

Background: Speech and language therapy provision for aphasia (a language disorder) post stroke has been studied over time through surveys completed by speech and language therapists. This paper revisits provision based on what was received by 278 patients in 21 UK speech and language therapy departments in 2014-2016.

Aims: To explore the speech and language therapy received by community dwelling people with post stroke aphasia in the UK.

Methods and procedures: A quantitative content analysis was conducted by two speech and language therapist researchers. Therapy goals recorded were coded into categories and subcategories. Descriptive statistics were used to identify the frequency with which goal categories were targeted, average therapy time received, length and frequency of therapy sessions, personnel involved and mode of delivery.

Outcomes and results: Forty-five percent of participants were in receipt of therapy in the three month window observed. Six goal categories were identified. Rehabilitation was the most frequent (60%) followed by enabling (17.2%), review (4.3%), assessment (3.6%), supportive (3.5%) and activity to support therapy (2.8%). The median amount of therapy received in three months was 6.3 hours at an average of one 60-minute session every two weeks. Seventy-seven percent of therapy sessions were delivered by qualified speech and language therapists and 23% by assistants. Ninety percent of sessions were one to one, face to face sessions whilst 9.5% were group sessions.

Discussion: In line with previous reports, speech and language therapy for community dwelling stroke survivors with aphasia is restricted. Rehabilitation is a large focus of therapy but the intensity and dose with which it is provided is substantially lower than that required for an effective outcome. Despite this, one to one face to face therapy is favoured. More efficient methods to support more therapeutic doses of therapy are not commonly used in routine clinical services.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1. Distribution of participants by age and gender.

Fig 2. Distribution of participants by length of time post stroke (at the beginning of the three month period analysed).

Fig 3. Receipt of therapy by time post stroke.

Fig 4. Receipt of therapy by severity of word finding.

Fig 5. Receipt of therapy by age.

Fig 6. Therapy goals by time post stroke.

Fig 7. Therapy goals by severity of word finding.

Fig 8. Therapy goals by age.

Fig 9. Number of therapy sessions delivered by qualified speech and language therapists and speech and language therapy assistants.