Communication Bridge Pilot Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of evidence-based interventions in individuals living with mild to moderate primary progressive aphasia (PPA) that address communication-focused outcomes. The study team aims to enhance the personal relevance and therapeutic impact of goal attainment scaling (GAS) while building self-efficacy within a self-management framework.

This study will be a continuation of one of the largest non-pharmacologic intervention studies for individuals with PPA to date. It will add critical information regarding the effectiveness of telepractice interventions for communication disorders in adults with primary progressive aphasia specifically, and in dementia more broadly. The goal of this study is to maximize functional communication and life participation for the participants.

Inclusion criteria

(person with PPA):

• Meets diagnostic criteria for PPA based on neurologist and supporting medical assessments (extracted from medical records)
• English as primary language used in daily communication activities (by self-report)
• Adequate hearing (aided or unaided) for communicating with others in a crowded room (by self-report)
• Adequate vision (aided or unaided) for reading a newspaper, or other functional materials (by self-report)
• Able to pass technology screening and demonstrates sufficient knowledge for use of video conference and Communication Bridge™ web application use (with or without training)
• Geriatric Depression Scale score ≤ 9
• Mild-moderate PPA informed by a structured interview with a speech-language pathologist and a standardized testing battery.

Inclusion criteria

(Co-enrolled communication partner):

• 18+ years of age
• English as primary language used in daily communication activities (by self-report)
• Adequate hearing (aided or unaided) for communicating with others in a crowded room (by self-report)
• Able to pass technology screening* and demonstrates sufficient knowledge for use of video conference and Communication Bridge™ web application use (with or without training)

Exclusion criteria

• A dementia diagnosis other than Primary Progressive Aphasia
• Participation is co-enrolled in an outside speech language therapy program during the study course.
• Communication partners will be excluded if they have a pre-existing communication impairment that would affect study participation (e.g., aphasia, dementia) Medical records will be requested and reviewed to determine eligibility