COMPARE is a research study which compares the outcomes of different treatments for people with aphasia. The study will determine if two intensive and contrasting treatments: multi-modal aphasia treatment (M-MAT) and constraint induced aphasia therapy (CIAT) result in better outcomes compared to the usual aphasia treatments (usual care: UC). The study will define which individuals respond best to
M-MAT and CIAT, based on the severity of aphasia. The study involves participants from Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. The research process
COMPARE is a randomised controlled trial. This means that when individuals with aphasia join the study, they will be randomly allocated to a group to receive one treatment type:
CIAT
M-MAT, or
Usual Care (UC). All participants will compete an initial period of background assessments, the results will help build a picture of each participants strengths and struggles with their communication. Treatment will start and will occur 5 days a week over 2 weeks. After treatment, all participants complete assessments to help the research team determine the effects of treatment. The assessments will occur after the treatment and again approximately 12 weeks later. Participants who are randomly assigned to the Usual Care group will be offered additional treatment at the end of the 12 week follow-up period as part of an optional sub-study. In this sub-study, participants will be re-randomised to receive either CIAT or M-MAT treatment. Treatment methods
Constraint Induced Aphasia Therapy (CIAT)
CIAT focuses on talking. It is an intensive treatment with individuals receiving 30 hours therapy spread across 2 weeks. Treatment is delivered in a group of 2-3 people with aphasia. Multi-Modal Aphasia Therapy (M-MAT)
M-MAT focuses on various forms of communication including: talking, drawing, writing, and using gestures. Other treatment options
There are other treatment options available. These might include individual or group therapy sessions or other research programs. Optional sub-study
After the 12 week assessments, individuals in the Usual Care group may be invited to participate in the optional sub-study. In this sub-study, individuals with aphasia from the Usual Care group will be randomly allocated to a treatment group: CIAT or M-MAT. After treatment, all participants will complete assessments to help the research team determine the effects of treatment. These assessments will take place immediately after the treatment and again approximately 12 weeks later. Who is running the research? Associate Professor Miranda Rose is leading the research. Miranda is a speech pathologist working in research at La Trobe University. View the Our team page for more information about staff involved in the study. The study has La Trobe University Ethics Committee approval.
