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Project Description
The Listen-In project investigated whether digital therapy can improve speech comprehension in persons with chronic aphasia. Gamification principles were integrated into the therapy program to improve user experience, and support delivery of high dose therapy.
This project included three main phases:
Phase 1 involved developing a speech comprehension therapy app (Listen-In) using an iterative cycle of development with persons with aphasia and software developers. As gamification is new to aphasia therapy, we aimed to work closely with persons with aphasia to create a useable and enjoyable therapy app.
Phase 2 involved testing Listen-In in a clinical trial with persons with chronic aphasia. As there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of speech comprehension therapy, this trial will add much needed new evidence with a larger patient group and larger dose of therapy.
Phase 3 will involve making Listen-In available online for any individual with aphasia to download and use.
Funding body
Listen-In is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) i4i stream.
Aims
- Phase 1: Develop a gamified digital speech comprehension therapy app (Listen-In), in collaboration with persons with aphasia and software developers.
- Phase 2: Determine whether Listen-In is effective at improving speech comprehension in persons with chronic aphasia.
- Phase 3: Make Listen-In available online for individuals with aphasia to download and use.
Design and Methods
In Phase 1, we collaborated with persons with aphasia, and software developers, to design a useable and enjoyable therapy app (Listen-In). This phase focused on the novel addition of gamification to aphasia therapy. We used an iterative cycle of app development based around a series of focus groups with persons with aphasia
In Phase 2, we tested whether Listen-In is effective at improving speech comprehension in a group of individuals with chronic aphasia. We used a randomised repeated measures cross over design, and recruited 36 persons with chronic aphasia. To investigate the efficacy of this intervention, we compared speech comprehension outcomes following a 12-week block of Listen-In treatment, with a 12-week clock of usual care. We also tested participants at 12 and 24 weeks to investigate maintenance of any therapy effects.
In Phase 3, we will make Listen-In available online for individuals to download and use. This phase may involve changes to the app, based on feedback from participants in Phase 2.
Benefits
This project will develop a speech comprehension therapy app that will be made available to people with chronic aphasia. The app will be co-designed with people with aphasia, to ensure it can be used independently by users in the comfort of their own home. Individuals will be able to choose how much time they spend on therapy, supporting delivery of high dose speech comprehension therapy.
Project members
Professor Alex Leff (Principle Investigator, University College London)
Dr Sonia Brownsett (Queensland University of Technology)
Victoria Fleming (University College London)
Rupert Leach (patient expert)
Anna Krason (University College London)
Henry Coley-Fisher (University College London)
Yean-Hoon Ong (University College London)
Professor Jenny Crinion
Associate Professor Dr Holly Robson (University of Reading)
Professor David Howard (Newcastle University)
Dr Elizabeth Warburton (University of Cambridge)
MSc students
Marie Andree Maegli Quezada (Universidad del Valle de Guatemala)
Henry Coley-Fisher (University College London)
Emily Upton (University College London)
Software Developers
William Latham
Andrea Castegnaro
Pedro Quijada Leyton
Date commenced
2015
Status
Phase 1 - complete
Phase 2 - complete
Phase 3 - ongoing