Self-Reported Quality of Life Outcomes in Aphasia Using Life Participation Approach Values: 1-Year Outcomes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a newly initiated aphasia center program using Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA) values. DESIGN: Evidence-based practice quality improvement project. SETTING: Ambulatory care aphasia center part of a larger health care system. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 41 clients with aphasia and 40 primary caregivers of clients with aphasia. Participants included all clients and caregivers that were enrolled in the aphasia center within the first year of opening. All participants were enrolled in 1-4 eleven-week sessions of the aphasia center program. Participants with aphasia included 19 women and 22 men with a mean age of 65.2 years (range, 33-84 years). INTERVENTIONS: Group therapy was provided using the LPAA statement of values with each client receiving 3 hours of treatment once per week for 11 weeks. Clients were provided with the opportunity to complete multiple 11-week enrollment sessions if they chose to do so. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Client-reported outcomes included the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale, and caregiver-reported outcomes included the Modified Caregiver Strain Index. Both measures are self-reported and scale based. Client satisfaction data were also collected via a self-reported program evaluation upon completion of each 11-week session. RESULTS: Results indicated statistically significant improvements in quality of life scores for clients with aphasia following initial participation of an 11-week aphasia center program (P≤.0001) and following 1-year participation (P≤.0001). Additionally, caregiver’s level of burden decreased significantly following initial participation of the family member (P=.003) and following completion of three 11-week sessions (P≤.0001). Self-reported client satisfaction program evaluation results also demonstrated improved quality of life (100%) and improved language skills (average=89.75%). CONCLUSIONS: The project provided further evidence supporting the use of LPAA values with clients experiencing chronic aphasia.