City Research Online

Abstract

Objective: Post-stroke aphasia can profoundly affect a person’s social and emotional well-being. This study explored the feasibility of solution focused brief therapy as an accessible intervention, and investigated its impact on participants’ psychosocial well-being.

Participants and methods: Small-scale repeated measures feasibility study. Participants received between three and five therapy sessions. They were assessed on psychosocial outcome measures pre and post therapy, and took part in post-therapy in-depth qualitative interviews. Three men and two women with chronic aphasia took part; age range 40s to 70s.

Results: Participants found the therapy acceptable and it was possible to adapt the approach so as to be communicatively accessible. Quantitative assessments showed encouraging trends in improved mood: pre-therapy GHQ-12 mean (SD): 4.80 (4.60), median: 6; post therapy mean (SD): 2.00 (2.55), median: 1; and improved communicative participation: pre-therapy CPIB mean (SD): 7.80 (5.76), median: 7; post therapy mean (SD): 12.20 (4.44), median: 14. Measures of social network and connectedness, however, remained stable. Themes emerging from the qualitative analysis included changes to mood, communicative participation, mobility and everyday activities.

Conclusions: This small-scale study suggests solution focused brief therapy is a promising approach in helping people with aphasia build positive change in their lives.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Copyright Kruger 2015. Published here http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000439217
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Language & Communication Science
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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