Because aphasia dramatically affects individuals' ability to communicate effectively and independently, people with aphasia are at high risk of facing psychosocial challenges. However, there are few tools that are both aphasia-friendly (i.e., accessible for people with communication and/or cognitive impairments) and available in languages other than English to evaluate psychosocial well-being.
This project aims to (1) adapt a version of the "Process-Based Assessment Tool" (PBAT) to be "aphasia-friendly"; and (2) translate the adapted version into Spanish. The PBAT is an assessment tool designed to tailor interventions for all individuals by using the process-based therapy approach. Furthermore, this tool encourages practitioners from different therapeutic islands to share their methods and become "psychological helpers" who work together to deliver the most effective interventions. As of Fall 2023, this project is in its beginning stages led by CSR Scholar, masters student Patricia Almaraz under the mentorship of Michelle Gravier, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. 

Are you a student interested in volunteering? Email Dr. Gravier at michelle.gravier@csueastbay.edu 

The lab is collaborating with Cal State East Bay Kinesiology Research Group faculty members Jennifer Sherwood and Albert Mendoza to develop an online exercise program for adults with aphasia. We are assessing whether and how participating in this group benefits physical activity levels, quality of life, language, and/or cognition for participants with aphasia.

Are you interested in joining the study? All members of the Aphasia Treatment Program (ATP) are eligible to join the exercise group. Visit the ATP website for more information: CLICK HERE 

Are you a student interested in volunteering? Email Dr. Gravier at michelle.gravier@csueastbay.edu 

The lab is researching whether and how participating in visual-art based activities can benefit mood, quality of life, and/or language of people with aphasia. We are currently conducting a systematic review of the state of research in this area, and plan to offer a visual arts-focused group in fall 2023. 

Are you interested in joining the study? All members of the Aphasia Treatment Program (ATP) are eligible to join the art group. Visit the ATP website for more information: CLICK HERE 

Are you a student interested in volunteering? Email Dr. Gravier at michelle.gravier@csueastbay.edu 

Interest in aphasia choirs has been growing steadily over the past decade.  Most of the current research looks at participation over a fairly short period of time, like 20 or fewer sessions. The Aphasia Tones Choir has been meeting since 2009. In 2017, masters student Madison Cano Fox focused her CSR project on qualitative interviews of Aphasia Tones members to explore the impact of long-term (1-8 years) participation in the choir. Preliminary results on a subset of the interviews were presented at a conference in Japan and at ASHA and CSHA. In 2020, CSR Scholar, masters student Christy Thies, joined the project with Madison (now an SLP at Stanford) and Ellen as part of the NRRL Lab to complete the analysis of the interview data which includes 15 choir and 5 care partner interviews and to run a member checking focus group and care-partner survey. The preliminary results were presented at the 2022 International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference. In 2022, lab member Ci He joined the project to work on data analysis of the interviews and focus group. This project has been under the mentorship of Ellen Bernstein-Ellis, M.A. CCC-SLP, Director Emeritus, ATP.

Master's student Haley Hayashi surveyed practicing speech-language pathologists in the U.S. about their training, knowledge, and comfort supporting the psychosocial well-being of people with aphasia. The results were presented at the 2022 International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference, and a manuscript about the study was recently accepted for publication in a special issue of the Journal of Communication Disorders! 

Contact Haley at hhayashi10@horizon.csueastbay.edu for more information.

The lab is collaborating with the CSUEB Social Work Deparment and faculty member Kristen Gustavson to develop an online mindfulness and self-acceptance program for adults with aphasia. We are assessing whether and how participating in this group benefits mental health, quality of life, language, and/or cognition for participants with aphasia.

Although the group is not being offered for fall 2023, it may be offered in the future, as interest allows.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can help some people with aphasia get more benefit out of aphasia therapy. tDCS is non-invasive, meaning that nothing goes inside of the head; a small current is passed between the pads on the head to allow the part of the brain underneath the pad to work harder during therapy. Usually, in research studies tDCS is provided every day. In this study, we are asking if tDCS is helpful when it is given twice a week, similar to a typical outpatient therapy schedule. 

This study requires in-person treatment and so is on-hold due to COVID 

We increasingly rely on technology to carry out our daily activities, such as shopping, banking, or playing games. Technology can also help us communicate with others via video chat (Zoom), email, or texting. Learning how to use these technologies can be difficult for some people with aphasia because the applications or instructions are not usually very "aphasia-friendly" meaning that they may use complicated language, or not provide a lot of visual support. This study sought to develop an aphasia-friendly technology group class to help people with aphasia learn to use technology for things that were important to them.

Although this study is complete, the Aphasia Treatment Program (ATP) Tech Group will still be offered, as interest allows.