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Behavioral Intervention

Animal-Assisted Therapy for Aphasia (PATD Trial)

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Sharon M Antonucci, Ph.D.

Research Sponsored by Albert Einstein Healthcare Network

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Clinical diagnosis of aphasia acquired as the result of cerebro-vascular accident (CVA)

Be older than 18 years old

Must not have

Diagnosis of neurological injury or disease other than CVA

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up immediate arm: baseline, 6-weeks post baseline, 3 month follow-up; delayed arm: 2 baselines (6 weeks apart), 6-weeks post 2nd baseline, 3 month follow-up

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial studies how a PATD program can help people with aphasia (language loss due to stroke) gain confidence and social engagement, enabling them to live better lives.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for English-speaking adults with aphasia, a language impairment usually from stroke. Participants must understand the study, be willing and able to take part in activities, and live within an hour's drive of the research sites in Elkins Park or Philadelphia, PA.

What is being tested?

The study tests the Persons with Aphasia Training Dogs Program (PATD), which uses dog training techniques to improve confidence and social engagement for people living with aphasia.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this program involves animal-assisted therapy rather than medication, traditional side effects are not expected. However, participants may experience emotional fatigue or stress during training sessions.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Select...

I have speech difficulties due to a stroke.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

Select...

I have a neurological condition that is not a stroke.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ immediate arm: baseline, 6-weeks post baseline, 3 month follow-up; delayed arm: 2 baselines (6 weeks apart), 6-weeks post 2nd baseline, 3 month follow-up

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~immediate arm: baseline, 6-weeks post baseline, 3 month follow-up; delayed arm: 2 baselines (6 weeks apart), 6-weeks post 2nd baseline, 3 month follow-up

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and immediate arm: baseline, 6-weeks post baseline, 3 month follow-up; delayed arm: 2 baselines (6 weeks apart), 6-weeks post 2nd baseline, 3 month follow-up for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Change on Assessment of Living with Aphasia (ALA, Kagan et al., 2010)

Change on PI-adapted version of Pet Partners Animal-handler Evaluation.

Secondary study objectives

Change on Behavioural Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome (Wilson et al., 1996)

Cerebrovascular accident

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: ImmediateExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants in this group will begin the training protocol immediately (within 1 week) after baseline pre-training evaluation is completed.

Group II: DelayedExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants in the delayed arm will participate in two pre-training evaluations, one immediately upon enrollment and one at the end of the delay period immediately before beginning training

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

Persons with Aphasia Training Dogs Program

2023

N/A

~20

0 / 2Eligibility criteria met