“Now I Am Myself”: Exploring How People With Poststroke Aphasia Experienced Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Within the SOFIA Trial

Abstract

Aphasia, a language disability, can profoundly affect a person’s mood and identity. The experiences of participants who received Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, a psychological intervention, were explored in the Solution-Focused brief therapy In poststroke Aphasia (SOFIA) Trial. Thirty participants with chronic aphasia, 14 with severe aphasia, participated in in-depth interviews that were analyzed using framework analysis. Two overarching themes emerged: valued therapy components (exploring hopes, noticing achievements, companionship, sharing feelings, and relationship with therapist) and perceptions of progress (mood, identity, communication, relationships, and independence). Participants were categorized into four groups: (a) “changed,” where therapy had a meaningful impact on a person’s life; (b) “connected,” where therapy was valued primarily for companionship; (c) “complemental,” where therapy complemented a participant’s upward trajectory; and (d) “discordant,” where therapy misaligned with participants’ preference for impairment-based language work. This study suggests that it is feasible to adapt a psychological therapy for people with aphasia, who perceive it as valuable.

Aphasia Depression and Psychological Therapy (ADaPT): Perspectives of People with Post-Stroke Aphasia on Participating in a Modified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

“…This is consistent with the need for clinicians to ensure that people with aphasia are included in therapy goal setting and provided with communication support to make choices, negotiate, and agree upon goals and therapy activities [38]. This finding is consistent with solution-focused brief therapy, which views participants as the experts in their lives and enables them to achieve their goals and outcomes by drawing on their strengths, skills, and resources [39]. Furthermore, in the current study, the working relationship with the experienced therapist was highly valued and important to participants.…”

The SUCCESS Peer Mentoring Program for College Students with Concussion: Preliminary Results of a Mobile Technology Delivered Intervention

“…In addition, support provided by peers, family, and those with similar experiences of concussion has been found to be particularly meaningful to students following injury [ 39 ]. Individuals who receive appropriate education about management techniques and feel more supported post-concussion experience fewer symptoms and recover more quickly [ 7 , 40 ]. Peer mentoring targets these modifiable aspects of the neurobiopsychosocial model of concussion, directly addressing how students understand, think about, and act on their injury experiences.…”

“…Studies of peer-led education show that peers like talking to other peers as well, often reaching out to peers before medical, sport, or educational professionals [ 34 , 39 ]. Serving as a mentor builds interpersonal skills and confidence that can translate to solving problems beyond college as well [ 27 , 40 ].…”

Continuity of Care Advocate Model (CCAM): Healthcare Workers’ Perspectives on Quality Stroke Care at an Acute Unit, Rehabilitation Center and Community Rehabilitation Program in Singapore

“…However, participants reported that not all nursing homes in Singapore provide physical therapy or rehabilitation on a regular basis. And when the services are provided, these are physiotherapy and occupational therapy that are “usually more for maintenance.” A recent study demonstrated that poststroke psychological therapy could facilitate the renegotiation of poststroke identity for people who experience aphasia (Northcott et al, 2021). Crucially, this suggests there is room for improving the well-being of poststroke people, and that the goal of therapy should not be limited to maintenance only.…”