Effects of PACE Technique in Patients With Aphasia

Aphasia, a communication disorder often resulting from him brain injury such as stroke, impacts an individual's ability to understand or produce language. It can manifest in various forms, such as difficulties with speaking, writing, reading, and comprehension, which severely impair daily functioning and quality of life. For adults with aphasia, regaining communication skills is often a critical aspect of rehabilitation, demanding a combination of therapeutic strategies.

The Promoting Aphasics' Communicative Effectiveness (PACE) technique is a widely recognized approach to improve communication in individuals with aphasia. Developed in the late 20th century, the PACE technique focuses on naturalistic communication, encouraging patients to utilize any available communicative means verbal or non-verbal to convey messages effectively. By simulating real-world conversational scenarios in therapy, PACE aims to enhance both expressive and receptive communication skills, thereby facilitating better interaction in social contexts. This approach is especially beneficial for individuals with severe expressive language impairments, as it emphasizes the overall success of communication rather than linguistic accuracy.

A descriptive experimental research design was followed in the present study to explore the effect of PACE technique in adults with Aphasia. The study will be conducted at DHQ Faisalabad. The Duration of study is relied on 16 sessions. Three sessions will be conducted per week and the duration of a session is about forty minutes. Sample size (N=16) (Control group =8, Experimental group=8). Patients who were identified with mile to moderate level of Aphasia are age of 45 to 65 years old. Group A will be an experimental group (who will receive both Conventional and Promoting Aphasic Communicative Effectiveness technique). Group B will be a controlled group (who will receive just Conventional Therapy). A randomized Clinical trial will employ to collect data from participants approach at DHQ Faisalabad.

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Key information

Conditions

Aphasia, Broca Aphasia Communication Disorders Language Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Speech Disorders

Age range

45 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

District Headquarter

Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 38000, Pakistan

About this study

This approach is especially beneficial for individuals with severe expressive language impairments, as it emphasizes the overall success of communication rather than linguistic accuracy. A descriptive experimental research design was followed in the present study to explore the effect of PACE technique in adults with Aphasia. The study will be conducted at DHQ Faisalabad. Sample size (N=16) (Control group =8, Experimental group=8). Patients who were identified with mild to moderate level of Aphasia are age of 45 to 65 years old. Group A will be an experimental group (who will receive both Conventional and Promoting Aphasic Communicative Effectiveness technique). Group B will be a controlled group (who will receive just Conventional Therapy). A randomized Clinical trial will employ to collect data from participants approach at DHQ Faisalabad.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age: Patients from age 45-65 years will be included in the study

Both gender male and female will be included in the study.
Diagnosed Adults with aphasia will be included in the study.
Severity level: Mild to moderate will be included in the study
Only non-fluent type of Aphasia will be included in the study

Exclusion criteria

Adult with any co-morbid condition will be excluded from study.

Treatment and study plan

Experimental

Behavioral

Promoting Aphasics' Communicative Effectiveness (PACE) is a functional approach to aphasia intervention that emphasizes natural, interactive communication between the clinician and the individual with aphasia. Unlike traditional therapy, which often focuses on accuracy, PACE encourages any form of communication-verbal or non-verbal-such as gestures, drawing, writing, or using augmentative devices. The therapy is conducted in a conversational setting, where both participants exchange new information, ensuring the person with aphasia takes an active role in communication. By reducing pressure and promoting alternative communication strategies, PACE enhances confidence, encourages spontaneous language use, and helps individuals regain functional communication skills in real-life situations

control group conventional therapy

Other

Control Arm (Standard Therapy or No Treatment) Participants receive either traditional speech therapy (e.g., structured drills, naming tasks) or no treatment for comparison.

Primary outcomes

Mississippi Aphasia Screening Test

Time frame: 6 to 8 weeks

The Mississippi Aphasia Screening Test (MAST) is a brief and efficient tool designed to assess language abilities in individuals with aphasia, particularly those who have experienced a stroke or brain injury. It is a standardized screening test that evaluates various aspects of language function, including expressive and receptive abilities. The MAST consists of simple tasks such as naming, repetition, following commands, and verbal fluency, allowing clinicians to quickly identify language impairments. It is widely used due to its reliability, ease of administration, and effectiveness in detecting aphasia in both clinical and research setting

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Apr 9, 2026
Registry last updated: Apr 9, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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